Fort Lee—The long-anticipated dedication of the Young Israel of Fort Lee, named for Holocaust survivors and activists Ulo and Ethel Barad, took place recently with many of Bergen County’s spiritual leaders in attendance. Among the speakers were Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich; Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, past President of the Rabbinical Council of America and leader of Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood; Paul Glasser, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement of the Orthodox Union; and the keynote was delivered, with great enthusiasm and joy, by the shul’s long-time and respected pulpit rabbi, Neil Winkler.

Gerald Barad spoke for his mother and in honor of his late father, who was a major donor to the shul. Several members of the extended Barad family were also in attendance.

The dedication has been a long-time coming. The original structure, built in 1980, was demolished three years ago to make room for the contemporary two-story shul that will serve 120 families. The building features a Shabbos elevator for the disabled and elderly, a fully-equipped kitchen and reception hall for smachot and Kiddush, a main sanctuary, and a Beit Medrash for daily davening and learning.

Rabbi Neil Winkler is certain that the new, well-secured Young Israel will bring the different populations in the neighborhood together. That includes empty-nesters who are moving to the amenity-packed luxury buildings in the area so that they can still be close to the city while enjoying the benefits of having top-notch security, a concierge along with in-house gyms, spas and swimming pools, and Shabbos elevators. These are active baby-boomers who want a nearby, friendly place to daven, and young families new to Bergen County who still want to be as close as possible to New York City.

Many of the Young Israel members’ children and grandchildren live in Teaneck, Tenafly and Englewood, and the shul wants those younger generations to feel welcome as well. While they may not live in Fort Lee, if they come to Bubby or Zeidie for Shabbos, they will find a heimishe shul waiting for them, with all the trimmings.

Young families who aren’t ready for buying large homes deeper in the county will find that the rentals in Fort Lee, in these same luxury buildings, offer playgrounds and children’s activities, as well as all the amenities previously mentioned. These activities will be enhanced by the programs being established at the Young Israel, so children’s spiritual development will not be ignored. The hope is that young families will be attracted to the new shul and participate fully in making it a success—to that end, a Shabbat Tot program is already in the planning stages.

As shul spokesperson Linda Stamker explained, “The shul knows its future is in young families with kids (that’s how it started, after all) and it also appreciates all it offers to the older generation. In fact, Rabbi Winkler, is great with kids—he is respected and admired by students who went to Moriah and their parents. And he’s is beloved by the old-timers, too.

“ The beauty is that seniors have such wisdom, experience and knowledge and are so warm and welcoming to the younger generation that the young folks feel like they all have 50 grandparents. It’s a really warm community and lovely blend of people.”

Stamker concluded, “It’s a beautiful new building that we hope will be used for decades to come by a great mix of people.”

By Moshe Kinderlehrer