A Vision of our Future

Imagine a community where people come to experience Judaism together, to connect with each other, to study together, to pray together, and to support one another. Imagine a community that offers love and warmth, that fosters a sense of belonging, and that has a sense of shared history and common destiny. Imagine a community of Jewish learning where children also learn and grow. Imagine a community that Jews from all walks of life and all backgrounds will call home. This is a vision for the future Chabad Center in Columbia County. Imagine this as your community.

It all started in summer of 1996, when Rabbi Zalman, Chani and baby Lieba moved to Augusta. They came energized by the philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, whose core teachings centered on the importance of reaching out with love and nonjudgmental acceptance to fellow Jews and helping them to connect with their heritage.

They began offering learning opportunities for children and adults – holiday programs and outreach activities from their home in the Olde-Town section of Augusta. Larger events were held at the banquet rooms at the Ramada Hotel.

Very soon they outgrew their dining/living room space, and in the summer of 2001 the rabbi and a group of supporters accepted a generous offer to occupy a store front. This is our current Center. With the support of many wonderful community members, and with G-d’s help, we have now blossomed into a flourishing center of Jewish activity.

Along with the pride of Chabad’s successes have come the challenges of its growth: a lack of adequate classroom space for current and future programs, overflowing crowds at holiday events and, most importantly, the need for a Center that is located in a desirable neighborhood.

A neighborhood that is attractive to many Jewish families and that provides appropriate affordable housing to any who wish to live nearby and be within walking distance of the center enabling them to be shomer shabbos.

It is important to keep in mind that although we offer weekly prayer services we are not affiliated with a particular synagogue movement. We are an outreach organization for Jews at all levels of observance. Our outreach orientation is not just as a way to grow “membership”, rather, it is based on our philosophy that every mitzvah (good deed), every little step in a person’s Jewish journey, has tremendous value.

Studies over recent years have shown time and again that many Jewish families do not seek out a place of Jewish learning and worship. It is our obligation to reach out and include them in the community and to help prevent many families from total assimilation. This includes an approach with strategic planning and location. Establishing a new Chabad Center in a desirable neighborhood is a critical element to being successful.

In addition, a Jewish pre-school (and day school) is greatly needed in our area. The Fischers have contemplated establishing a pre-school numerous times, but our current facility and location cannot accommodate such an institution.

A new Chabad Center will not only enhance what we currently have; it will take the accomplishments of the past and use them as a foundation and springboard for a whole new beginning – a community Center that leaves no one behind.

The time has come to establish a permanent home for Chabad that will serve our community well into the future. To make this vision a reality, we need people at all levels to come on board and be part of history in the making. I am asking you to come on board, to share this vision and to help make it a reality by  donating, time, money, skills or manual labor for the benefit of all Jewish people living in our area.

Sincerely,

Stevin Dubin,

Chairman of the Building Committee  

Please send comments and suggestions to:

webmaster@chabadaugusta.org