Who would ever expect to hear the words of Megillat Esther booming throughout the hall at the American Legion in Dumont, New Jersey?

But the Chabad of Dumont, currently in formation, was in high gear on Purim with the reading of the Megillah to a crowd of about 30 people. Megillah was followed by a festive and fun Purim seuda attended by a broad spectrum of revelers from “Na’ar v’ahd zakein, taf v’ nashim…” as well as a variety of backgrounds, congregational affiliations, and many unaffiliated. According to Rabbi Avrohom Engel, most of those attending didn’t know anyone else when they arrived. But by the time they left, they had made new acquaintances.

Rabbi Engel believes that Chabad of Dumont will draw primarily from not-yet-affiliated people from Dumont. He and Rebbetzin Leah Engel already see the blossom opening in Dumont, as they prepare to move to the community with their family after Pesach. “Our goal is to service the entire community,” the rabbi said in an interview with The Jewish Link last week. The rebbetzin has begun her communal service in Dumont with a six-week virtual course for women, which was received with great enthusiasm.

Rabbi Engel has thus far met close to 100 Jewish families in Dumont alone; the family plan initially to open their home to Shabbat and Yom Tov services, as well as hosting meals and other events there. He tells of recently meeting a widow with no children, who was unaffiliated. She told him that she occasionally attends church with her friends, because she can’t afford the Jewish options available. He reports that she has now reconnected with her Jewish roots, attended the Chabad Purim program and delivered mishloach manot as well.

By Ellie Wolf