Alter Rebbe’s Descendant Donates to a Chabad in NJ

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Randolph, New Jersey, dedicated the Hadar Family Hall on Sunday, honoring the Hadar Family Foundation and celebrating a living legacy that traces back to the very roots of the Chabad movement.

The honorary guest of the ceremony, real-estate investor and activist Amir Hadar, is a direct descendant of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad movement.

The dedication marked a powerful convergence of past and present—where the vision first articulated by the Alter Rebbe more than two centuries ago continues to take physical and spiritual form in Jewish communities today.

Over 120 guests gathered for the dedication ceremony and celebratory lunch, which featured words of inspiration from community leaders and elected officials, alongside deeply meaningful Chassidic symbolism.

Speakers included New Jersey State Senator Anthony Bucco, New Jersey Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith, and Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, all of whom expressed admiration for Chabad’s impact as a center of faith, learning, and community service.

During the program, a New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly Resolution was formally presented to the Hadar family by Senator Bucco and Assemblywoman Dunn, recognizing the Hadar Family Foundation’s enduring commitment to Jewish life and community growth.

Additional township officials in attendance included Deputy Mayor Mark Forstenhausler, Councilwoman Christine Carey, Councilman Lou Nisivoccia, Councilwoman Denise Thornton, and Councilwoman Joanne Veech, reflecting strong municipal support for the Chabad Center and its mission.

A particularly moving moment took place when Helaine Schreiber presented Amir Hadar with a letter from the Rebbe written to her parents, Marilyn and Jack Schwadron, over 60 years ago, when they dedicated and purchased the building adjacent to 770 to house the Chabad library.

She also presented a Rebbe dollar—a dollar originally given by the Rebbe to encourage more charity. This symbolizes the Rebbe’s timeless encouragement of building spaces dedicated to Torah, learning, and outreach—values now carried forward in Randolph.

Hadar and his family were also presented with a beautiful artwork of the Alter Rebbe, as well as a miniature replica of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life designed as a tzedakah box, representing the idea that a physical structure becomes sacred through acts of kindness, generosity, and communal responsibility.

Rabbi Avraham and Chava Bekhor, co-directors of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, shared words of inspiration and gratitude. Chava reflected on the center’s beginnings over 40 years ago, when her parents established Chabad in Randolph, and how the community has grown into a vibrant center of Jewish life. She expressed special appreciation to Amir Hadar for helping bring that vision to fruition.

“This dedication reminds us that Chabad is not just a movement of history,” Rabbi Bekhor shared, “but a living chain—from the Alter Rebbe to today—where each generation builds upon the last.”

In his remarks, Amir Hadar spoke with a deep sense of shared purpose. “My wife and I are honored to help and secure it,” he said, “but the responsibility to fill it with life, love, meaning, and purpose belongs to all of us. May this hall stand as a source of strength and pride.”

The dedication of Hadar Family Hall stands as a testament to Chabad’s enduring mission: to illuminate the world through Torah, mitzvot, and acts of kindness—one community, and one generation, at a time.

For more, www.RandolphJewish.com/Hadar