Center Opens For Rosh Hashana

Chabad at Short Hills in New Jersey celebrated the Grand Opening of their brand new Chabad Center For Jewish Life that sits on 4.2 acre and measures 28,000 square feet, just in time for the High Holidays.

After 24 years of serving as Shluchim to the Short Hills / Millburn and surrounding communities, Rabbi Mendy and Chana Devora Solomon officially opened the state of the art center last Thursday, September 6th.

Rabbi Solomon shared sentiments of appreciation to all who helped make this long-awaited dream a reality, while Mrs. Solomon conveyed words of Emunah – the story of a Shul that spanned three locations waiting for the perfect one to become available.

“We always knew,” she proclaimed, “that when Hashem closes one door, He opens larger and grander ones. The test for us was not to lose hope, and to keep striving for the great blessings, like these we are all sharing today.”

Divrai Beracha was delivered by Rabbi Moshe Herson, Head Shliach of New Jersey, who praised the Solomons for their leadership and loyalty, and thanked them for their many years of dedicated service to the Rabbinical College of America and Gan Israel Day Camps.

Mayors from the Short Hills and neighboring Livingston community offered congratulatory wishes to a crowd of 400 people. They stated how they were not at all surprised by the amazing turnout, as the Solomon’s are respected icons and leaders within the community, and loved by all.

A fully catered gourmet dinner along with children’s entertainment accompanied the event. The highlight was the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, as scores of people gathered in front of the majestic building and broke out in Mazel Tovs, singing and rejoicing.

“We are beyond ecstatic to utilize every section of our new Chabad Center to further enhance Jewish Education and Identity in the Short Hills and surrounding Communities,” Rabbi Solomon said.

The community immediately went from Simcha to Simcha, as the next day they celebrated a community member’s Bar Mitzvah, and the next day Rosh Hashana services, attended by their largest turnout to date. More than 600 attendees and 150 children enjoyed the inaugural Yom Tov at the new Chabad Center.

There is a great buzz of excitement from the many who have been waiting for this Chabad center to open. It is no surprise that New Family Attendance has increased over 20% since the construction began just over a year ago. Some members even quipped that at this rate, it is already time to start thinking about expansion.