Seated under large chandeliers and around tables with elaborate flower centerpieces at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx Saturday night, a crowd of more than 250 applauded Chabad-Lubavitch of Riverdale’s 20 years of inspiring local Jews young and old.
Featuring live music and a video presentation, the anniversary celebration highlighted the personal stories of those whose lives have been changed and honored the dedication of community members in supporting the Jewish center’s work throughout the Bronx.
Throughout the night, Rabbi Levi and Sarah Shemtov were flooded with congratulatory words from guests who came from near and far to celebrate the lives touched through the center’s adult-education programs, afterschool and camp projects, teen activities and preschool.
“To hear that from people is very humbling and uplifting,” said the rabbi. “Seated in the crowd were a lot of people we met 20 years ago and who became partners in what we do. We literally feel like family.”
Nissan Leibowitz, who became involved with Chabad some 17 years ago when he put the prayer boxes known as tefillin on for the first time with a rabbi in Lomida, Calif., ascended the podium to speak about the importance of time and using it wisely. Honored alongside his wife Yehudit, he talked about what marking the momentous 20-year anniversary means both for the community and the Chabad House.
“We want to get closer to G‑d; we want to increase our mitzvahs and reach out to our brothers and sisters worldwide,” he said, “And to make the Chabad of Riverdale stronger and stronger.”
Vicky Nadel, who along with her husband Raphael accepted the “Parents of the Year” award, said she was thrilled to be taking part in the event. She invited family and her rabbi from Connecticut to attend.
“We’re here celebrating Chabad and this mutual feeling we have for the school and the organization,” she said. “All the parents are wonderful parents.”
Longtime Riverdale residents and event honorees Mayer and Margaret Fried, who accepted the “Keepers of the Flame” award, reflected warmly on fond memories of being involved with the Chabad House since the second week it opened. Holocaust survivors married for 56 years, they were joined Saturday night by their nephew from New Jersey and family from Chicago.
“Everybody has a place with Chabad,” said Mayer Fried, who attends services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there. “And when the rabbi calls, when he needs a minyan, he sends a guy to pick me up and I go.”
James Garfinkel, who moved to Riverdale from Manhattan’s Upper West Side five years ago, said he wouldn’t have missed the chance to celebrate with his community.
“It really is a community,” he said, adding that the thriving center exceeded his expectations. “You have people who are coming to the shul on an ongoing basis.”
Tzipporah Kulkin, who lives in Riverdale with her husband Ariel and their 17-month-old twins, said she found it unbelievable how Sarah Shemtov makes herself so readily available to the community.
“She finds time out of nowhere,” she said. “Her day stretches to care for everybody.”
According to Shemtov, the evening was just one of several ways the community is marking the milestone anniversary. It launched a Sunday-morning study program for adults that brings in five rabbis from Brooklyn to learn with community members, and is expecting to dedicate a new Torah scroll this spring.
“We’re constantly thinking how we can make this Purim more special than it ever was before,” said the rabbi. “As much as we did, we want to double, redouble our efforts.”
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