New Shluchim To New Jersey

Jewish residents of Jackson now have a new place to turn for anything from rabbinical advice to delicious kosher recipes. This source of “all things Jewish” is the new Chabad House that recently opened under the leadership of Rabbi Shmuel and Musi Naparstek.

The couple arrived with their young daughters, two-year-old Chaya; and eight-month-old Sara, and are now eager to meet and serve members of their new Jewish community.

The oldest of nine siblings, the rabbi was raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where his parents established a Chabad House.

“Since I was a child, I always had a vision to one day follow in my parents’ footsteps and open a Chabad Center, have an open and inviting home, and love and reach out to every Jew regardless of their background,” Rabbi Naparstek said.

He studied in Crown Heights, New York, and Israel, and spent two years at a yeshiva in France in a leadership role, guiding and mentoring younger students. As a rabbinical student, he was sent on missions to assist Chabad Centers around the world, including Cambodia and Hawaii.

Musi, who is the second- to- youngest of nine siblings, grew up in Crown Heights, in the center of worldwide Chabad activities. She comes from a family of educators and rabbis in New York and throughout the United States, and always had a drive to teach and educate others about Judaism. She taught sixth grade at her alma mater, Beth Rivkah, for the past five years and headed extra-curricular activities in the middle school. She spent summers assisting in Chabad Centers around the world, including Hong Kong and Costa Rica. The couple married in June 2013.

“Since we got married, our dream was always to open a Chabad Center, and reach out to Jews of all backgrounds,” the rabbi explained. “When we heard about Jackson, a town with a fairly large Jewish population and no set infrastructure, we knew that we had found our calling. Over the past year, we have visited Jewish people living or working in Jackson and the positive feedback that we received confirmed our thoughts that a Chabad Center was necessary. Since our arrival, we have met many people, hosted Friday night dinners, and continue to feel welcome. We look forward to being part of this wonderful community.”

The new Chabad House is an affiliate of Chabad of Western Monmouth County and the second center to open in Ocean County. Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Gourarie opened Chabad of Toms River in 2003.

“Chabad is all about bringing the light and beauty of Judaism to each person at their level, at their pace,” Rabbi Gourarie noted. “We are confident that the Jewish people of Jackson are going to love getting involved with this new Jewish endeavor.”

The new Chabad Center is already offering many classes and programs. A text-based class that explores the timeless message of Torah is being offered on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning September 7. Women can warm their bodies and souls at “Torah and Tea” on Tuesday mornings from 11 to noon beginning September 27. The first event of the Women’s Circle “Feed Your Mind, Nourish Your Soul, Delight Your Senses” will kick off with “The Art of Jewish Cooking on September 20. A “Wisdom Circle,” a thought-provoking series based on historical Jewish figures, will be brought to local assisted living centers and adult communities.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are being planned. A community Sukkos party will take place on October 20 at 6 p.m. and a mobile Sukkah on wheels will visit sites in the area.

Future plans include synagogue services, a Hebrew school and other programs geared for youth and teens, senior and home visitations, and many more opportunities for learning and growth.

For more information or to donate to the new Chabad center, click here.