Chabad Opens in ‘Heavenly State’

The Chabad Jewish Center of Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province in Southwest China, has inaugurated its new and more central location to better serve its regulars and visitors.

Directed by Rabbi Dovi Henig and his wife Sara Miriam, the Chabad center has gained a reputation as an address for all things Jewish in the providence known as the “Heavenly State.”

The opening ceremony was held this month in connection with Gimmel Tammuz, the 20th yartzeit of the Rebbe and the inspiration behind Chabad’s dedicated outreach work across the continent of Asia.

Addressing the guests, Mrs. Henig reviewed their humble beginnings and how they developed and created a community. Thanking them for what they’ve achieved was Dani Yaakobi, the president of the local Jewish community.

A guest speaker was Rabbi Shimon Freundlich, Director of Chabad of Beijing, who fascinated the crowd with words about the Rebbe’s vision and then said a prayer for Israel and the 3 Yeshiva students who were murdered.

“When we came on Shlichus though Asia’s Head Shliach Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon, local Jews treated us with some suspicion and weren’t quick to make a connection,” Rabbi Henig told COLlive.com.

“We didn’t give up and with the blessings of the Rebbe, we decided to continue with additional spirit and we see the results,” he said. “People turn to us around the clock and come to spend Shabbos and holidays with us.”

Rabbi Henig said he is financially supported by locals, as well as his grandfather, Migdal Haemek Chief Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman in memory of his father in law, the chossid R’ Dov Berish Rosenberg OBM. He also thanked Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.