On Tuesday, August 15, at 8 p.m., Chabad of West Orange will celebrate the installation of their new aron kodesh, bima, chazan’s amud and ner tamid.

The custom-made synagogue furniture was crafted in Israel at Kibbutz Lavi after many months of planning. It arrived at Chabad on July 17 after three weeks of sea voyage. Four days of assembly and the ark was complete and ready to use on Shabbat Mevorchim Menachem Av and also the Shabbat in which Bamidbar, the fourth book of Moses, was completed. At that time, the congregants say in unison, “Chazak, Chazak, V’nitchazek—Be Strong, Be Strong and You Will Be Strengthened!”

“Beautiful… absolutely beautiful,” said Jed Katz, who is dedicating the aron in memory of his grandparents, Joseph and Ruth Katz, and in honor of Rabbi Moshe Herson, dean of the Rabbinical College of America. “I am so proud of what we have done here.”

Katz was instrumental in the purchase of the new Chabad center and its building campaign in 2014/2015 and participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 14, 2016.

“Thank you for helping to make this day so meaningful…” said Marsha Frank in an email on July 22. “Once again, it pleases us so much to be a part of it.” Marsha and Mavin are dedicating the bima, the Torah reading table, in honor of their 57th wedding anniversary.

The ner tamid is dedicated by Marcia and Elihu Feldman in honor of Bernard and Natalie Weiss.

Festivities begin with drinks and refreshments on Tuesday evening, August 15, at 8 p.m., followed by a short program. All are welcome to attend. RSVP is requested at [email protected].

Chabad of West Orange is located at 401 Pleasant Valley Way.