Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Chuni and Oryah Vogel don’t measure success through political endorsements, but the support and recognition of such individuals as Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, former Gov. Mike Castle, Sen. Tom Carper, various U.S. representatives, judges and attorneys general go far in demonstrating the wide-ranging base that has embraced the strengthening of Jewish life in the nation’s “First State.”
Those dignitaries and more joined Jewish community members and lay leaders at the Brandywine Country Club in Wilmington earlier this month to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vogels’ founding of Chabad of Delaware. The event, which outgoing Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman served as honorary chairman, also honored longtime Chabad supporter Henry Topel. Its proceeds benefitted the organization’s new Youth and Education Center.
Looking back at a quarter century of growth, Chuni Vogel notes that he, his wife and their infant son arrived in Wilmington with little more than an old 1976 Chevrolet Impala and a couple of suitcases. What they lacked in physical belongings, they made up for with steadfast determination.
“We were very fortunate to have had the Rebbe’s encouragement, guidance and inspiration before we moved,” says Vogel, referring to the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. “Every Sabbath, the Rebbe spoke about the importance of establishing new Chabad Houses.”
At first, the Vogels divided their time serving the Wilmington area and the University of Delaware one hour away in Newark; eventually, they established a separate Chabad House there, which since 1992 has been run by Rabbi Eliezer and Roni Sneiderman. A new headquarters for Chabad of Delaware opened in 2007, and Rabbi Motti and Rochel Flikshtein arrived three years later to coordinate youth programs.
According to Vogel, back in 1987, besides for a local rabbi and cantor, there was only one Sabbath-observing family in Delaware. He attributed the dearth of traditional Jewish life as owing to the state’s location between such bigger Jewish communities in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and throughout New Jersey.
“It is a plus and a minus to be close to other communities,” explains Vogel. “Anyone who observed the Sabbath but worked in Wilmington, would choose to live in Philadelphia and make the 45 minute commute as opposed to having their family live in Delaware and have children commute to school for 45 minutes to an hour. There was never an opportunity for anything ever to take root, because any person who had an interest just stayed away.”
That’s not to say there weren’t Jewish families: The roots of Wilmington’s community goes back at least a century and the Vogels found being the “new kids on the block” as challenging at first.
“You come into town and you’re visibly religious, and some people think, ‘Oh, he’s coming to make everybody into rabbis,’ ” he says. “There was a fear of the unknown.”
The Vogels won them over with a sincerity and joy that continues to inspire people.
“I adore the Vogels,” says Caryl Marcus-Stape, an early supporter who organized the June 3 dinner. “What they do is amazing and essential for the community, bringing outreach and Jewish education.”
Another of the Vogels’ longtime friends is Topel, a World War II veteran whose grandfather was a respected rabbi on New York’s Lower East Side. He befriended the Vogels soon after their arrival in the state and according to the rabbi, has been essential to Chabad of Delaware’s success.
“Mr. Topel recognized the importance of our moving to Delaware and he wholeheartedly supported us, understanding that the future of Judaism is secure only when it benefits from the depth and education of the past,” says Vogel.
At the dinner, Topel, founding director of the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and a former chairman of the state Democratic Party, received from the governor the Order of the First State, Delaware’s highest civilian honor.
Today, a core group of families walk to the Vogels’ Wilmington synagogue every Sabbath, while the institution’s holiday services burst at the seams.
“Delaware is the only state in the Union where both the governor and lieutenant governor are Jewish,” Vogel proudly points out. “Judaism has become far more visible and accepted today than it was when we first came to town. It is not uncommon to see people wearing yarmulkes in the street.”
Marcus-Stape, whose specialty is in planning fundraisers and other Jewish community events, asserts that the Who’s Who of VIPs that attended the dinner is just another indicator of Chabad of Delaware’s impact.
“We had so many dignitaries and politicians from the whole state,” she says. “This has been unmatched since I started organizing these kinds of events.”
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