New Building Opens in Agoura

On Sunday, the 19th of Elul, September 18, a host of dignitaries and community leaders joined with many multitudes from throughout Southern California in opening the doors to Chabad of the Conejo’s new Center for Jewish Life in Agoura Hills. A project years in the making, the newly-constructed, state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility, located on Canwood Street just off the 101 Freeway’s Reyes Adobe exit, will allow Chabad to expand its existing educational and social service programs, and to start up many new ones.

The Center for Jewish Life – with its new wings of classroom, office and meeting space – will enable Chabad to increase enrollment in its adult education, teen outreach and Hebrew School programs while offering new programs for senior citizens and children with special needs through its reputable Sunshine Club and Friendship Circle programs. The facility – which is wired with the latest technological advancements, including “smart-boards” and high-end computer hardware and software – will also allow for a research library and essential conferencing for community-related issues.

Dignitaries attending the event included U.S. Congressman Elton Gallegly, LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Israeli Counsel General David Siegel, Mayor Harry Schwartz of Agoura Hills, Mayor Andy Fox of Thousand Oaks, radio talk show host Dennis Prager, Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Rabbi Joshua B. Gordon as well as numerous City Councilmember’s and Government officials.

The honor of making the Brocho of Shechiyanu and affixing the Mezuzah on the front door was given to Rabbi Mordechai Meir Bryski, who with his Rebbetzin Etel, flew from NY to attend the milestone event. He also gave over the Birchas Kohanim to the assembled and shared warm words of greetings and gratitude. The audience was visibly moved and filled with tears as the senior Rabbi spoke and affixed the Mezuzah.

The primary dedicators were then called upon to formally cut the ribbon and the community got their first look at the magnificent new center.

The Shluchim to the Conejo Valley are Rabbi Moshe and Matty Bryski, Rabbi Yitzchak and Brocho Sapochkinsky, Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Levine, Rabbi Shlomo and Tovi Bisitritzky, Rabbi Eli Laber, Rabbi Leibel and Chana Stery Kahanov, Rabbi Chaim and Shula Bryski, Rabbi Schneur and Tzipi Schneerson and Rabbi Eli and Shaini Friedman. Chabad of the Conejo was founded by Rabbi Joshua Gordon of Chabad of the Valley over thirty years ago. Rabbi Gordon was very instrumental in encouraging, advising and financially supporting the building project

The construction of the new center was headed up by Martin Teitelbaum, principal of MTC and a close friend and strong supporter of Chabad of the Conejo, who served as the general contractor of the project.

“It is inspiring to see just how beautiful this structure has turned out to be,” says Teitelbaum. “It is certainly the most personally uplifting and meaningful construction project I’ve been a part of in all of my years in this business.”

He hopefully and optimistically anticipates going to work on Phase Two of the Community Campus shortly after the Center for Jewish Life is up and running.

“Now that the ribbon has been cut, marking the formal culmination of Phase One, I’m pretty sure my mind will become preoccupied with the new Synagogue and Lecture Hall Building that will be Phase Two.”