Chabad of Georgia and Congregation Beth Tefillah embarked on a new and exciting chapter in its history with the recent groundbreaking for a major expansion of its campus in Sandy Springs.
Rabbis, city representatives, donors and supporters dug the first ceremonial shovelfuls of dirt Sunday at the groundbreaking event, marking the beginning of the construction project to build the Jeff and Carrla Goldstein Youth and Education Center.
The new Youth an education center will house the Chaya Mushka Children’s House, Chabad’s montessori preschool as well as expanded Youth programming and adult education. Children attending the party painted tiles that will be featured in the new building while adults enjoyed brunch and shmoozed.
Ian Ratner, President of Congregation Beth Tefillah and head of the building’s steering committee, kicked off the event by welcoming about 300 supporters, donors, and volunteers who helped to make the dream a reality.
Phil Cuba, head of the construction committee thanked the professionals who made the construction possible: architects from Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, builders from Gay Construction, and Regions Bank.
Karen Meinzen McEnerny representing the Sandy Springs City Council, spoke about the impact Chabad and the Chaya Mushka Children’s House have on the community. She noted the importance of instilling children with religious values.
The party then moved outside where golden shovels and hard-hats were props for the ceremony.
Rabbi Yossi New, Chabad of Georgia’s Executive Director and Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tefillah, opened the speeches by connecting the ceremony to this week’s Torah portion about dreams and making dreams come to fruition. He thanked everyone in the crowd for making this dream come true.
Jeff Goldstein, lead patron of the project, stressed that his reason for his involvement in this particular project is that he is investing in Jewish education and that equals investing in future generations and so he was inspired to support a youth and education center.
Finally, the children attending really “launched” the project by launching balloons in the air.
Rabbi Isser New, Associate Director of Chabad of Georgia says “this is really a community changing project and a truly exciting time for the Atlanta Jewish Community.” He added that “construction should begin this month and with a little divine intervention could be done by the High Holidays.
The final stage of the expansion will be a state-of-the-art new women’s mikvah.
Rabbi Yossi and Dassie New are a fine example of what shluchim should be. We experienced their unparalleled hospitality first hand and saw what tremendous role models they are to visiting bochurim (when they had a semichah programme) and their own children.
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The News are like the totally awesomest most easygoing amazing Shluchim to work for 🙂 :), I worked in ATL after Sem a bunch of years back! and had the most amazing time ever.. the first day we where there Rabbi Isser got us Starbucks gift card and lunch at OUforU, Rabbi Isser and Musha truly impacted the way I view shlichus and i will strive to emulate them in my own community. Isser & Musha are the Avraham & Sarah of Atlanta!!
I treasure the days spent at Chabad of GA, especially Beth Tefillah. The experience gained first hand from Rabbi Isser New and his entire faculty was priceless. His wonderful personality, humor, never say no type attitude, ibergegebenkeit to the Rebbe, and everything the Rebbe stands for is something I’ll never forget. Mi Komocha Bo’ailim Hashem. A true Macabee. His support for his fellow Shluchim and Torah institions are what we need to see more of. Next years keynote speaker at the Shluchim Kinnus – Isser New you have my vote. You’re not just a man of words, you’re a Shliach… Read more »
kol hakavod nice seeing you there
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I’m reading this story with tears in my eyes. Working with the New family all these years I am super proud to be apart of such an incredible Moisad. I was at the event with rabbi Isser and Musha NEw and their adorable children. They have taken me in like family.
Unbelievable, absolutely incredible! we Shluchim in the former soviet union have heard and witnessed firsthand the success the New family has in their Shlichus from our mutual bale batim, our friends have spoken in awe of the wonderful work of their son Rabbi Isser New who has brought Chabad of Georgia to new heights, Tayere Isser what a standard you have set for Shluchim around the world, May the world of Lubavitch have much nachas from your incredible work!!!
You both are such devoted and unbeliveably dedicated shluchim. What a team! Making lubavitch proud!
Isser,
From CGI Parksville to Chabad of GA you never fail to amaze and inspire me. Your drive, your devotion and your geshmake chayus!! Wow is all I can say!
Go Isser!!!!!!! The man the myth the legend.
Rabbi Isser New best shliach south of th Dixie line
Isser new! You are the man! Chabad of GA has been on a roll since u got involved! Kol Hakavod!! May you continue your great work and keep giving the rebbe and your parents nachas!!
Phenomenal! Mazel tov to the New’s! I look forward sometime soon to another Atlanta Jewish Film Festival visit, BE”H!
What a man! An emesa Rebbe’s shliach! These pictures say it all. Go Isser! Atlanta is so lucky to have you as the driving force behind peulos and events! A lucky Shtot! You make your parents proud! You make anyone who knows you so so proud! Chabad today needs to duplicate more of you! Go Isser!
the driving force behind Chabad of GA!!!
What undiluted nachas. May you grow machayil el chayil.
E. Klein Joburg,SA