Chabad Montclair

Rabbi Yaacov and his wife Ita Leaf, along with their two children, are hoping to establish a Chabad presence in Montclair to serve the needs of the local and surrounding Jewish community.

Chabad, a global movement with over 3,000 branches in 65 countries, is a Hasidic movement that adheres to the Orthodox practice of Judaism. According to Rabbi Yaacov, “Chabad advances the goal that every Jew have the opportunity for Jewish discovery within a context of open-minded exploration, regardless of background or affiliation.”


Yaacov, who was born in Israel and raised in Detroit, MI, and Ita, who grew up in West Orange where her parents — Rabbi Boruch and  Devorah Klar — have served as the directors of Chabad of Essex County since 1980, hope to establish “a place where Judaism will be celebrated with joy and meaning, adding depth and perspective to daily life.  With opportunities to expand the mind, excite the heart and touch the soul, they  plan to offer a wide range of learning programs for all ages.” They name the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose message was to bring the joy and relevance of Judaism to the world in an open-minded and non-judgmental way, as their inspiration.

The Leafs moved to Montclair in July, from Brooklyn.

“The charm and diversity of the town is really what attracted us to Montclair, coupled with the fact that Montclair as a town seems to have it all, with the exception of a Chabad,” says Yacoov. He believes there is a sizable and growing Jewish population in Montclair, as well as a growing Jewish student body at Montclair State University. With their Chabad, they plan on servicing the local Jewish community and contributing to the already present Jewish infrastructure.

rosh hashanahSome of the programs that will be offered a the Chabad Montclair are:

  • High holiday beginners service (for those who may not feel comfortable, or don’t belong to a synagogue) Chabad doesn’t charge membership fees or dues.
  • Kabbalah classes, studying the inner dimensions of the Torah and learning how to incorporate those teachings into your life.
  • “Shabbat house” a Friday night Shabbat dinner experience, open to all, to experience firsthand the beauty of Shabbat.
  • “Pop-up Shabbat” bringing Shabbat to the people, we’ll bring Shabbat to your home, invite your friends, who will feel more comfortable in your home, we’ll do the rest.
  • JLI – Jewish learning institute. Intellectually challenging courses covering modern-day issues and seeing the Torah’s timeless prospective.
  • Lunch & learn – have no time to study? They’ll come to your office and study over lunch, Just pick a Jewish topic.
  • One-on-one Torah study.
  • Challah Baking
  • Kosher cooking classes
  • Chesed projects – Packing food for the needy

For now, The Leafs will be renting spaces for some of the programs and activities, as well as using their home for Shabbat dinners and some classes. The first event will be High-Holiday services:

  • Rosh Hashana services will take place in The Clubhouse, 131 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, September 25-26 at 10 am.
  • Yom Kippur services, October 3, 630 pm and October 4 at 10 am, at 3 Prospect Way, Montclair

RSVP at chabadmontclair@gmail.com, or call 862-252-5666 For more information, please visit chabadmontclair.org

 

 

4 replies on “Creating a Chabad Presence in Montclair”

  1. ” using their home for Shabbat dinners and some classes”

    This should really help them in obtaining significant tax benefits and avoiding contributing to the montclair tax base (while still consuming taxpayer-funded services)

    I wonder if the “journalists” at baristanet report on the tax loopholes these folks will be entitled to due to their creative use of their house as a place of worship?

  3. Many houses of worship don’t actually have a brick and mortar “house” in which to worship. They meet at people’s homes, such as the ones described above. If you don’t like the system as far as tax-exempt organizations go, then complain to your legislators, don’t take it out on families such as these who choose to open up their homes to others.

    I agree with Pete. Some of the most “progressive” people are also some of most small-minded.

  4. Many people abuse this tax loop hole. That awful family on TV with the 20 kids pull the house is a church scam to avoid taxes, as well as many other legal but sleazy practices, to push the cost of their breeding off on the rest of us. I’m not saying this family is doing that but in high tax, high services area it could use some scrutiny. It is bad enough we have tax loop hole colleges expecting the towns to cater to them.

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