What is Shabbat House? According to Rabbi Boruch and Devorah Klar, it is the most exciting and revolutionary project they have ever worked on. Coming from the people who brought you the Jewish Renaissance Fair, Café Devorah, Grand Purim Balls, Farbrengen Live, Jewish Learning Institute, Lubavitch Center Judaica and so much more over the past 40 years, that says a lot.
The mission statement of Shabbat House is “to share the love and joy of Shabbat with every Jewish family in Essex County. We are passionate about Judaism and we want to share that love with the community we love.”
Says Rabbi Klar, “This is a Judaism I didn’t have growing up. It’s different. It’s alive and relevant and fun.”
“If you have not experienced a Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Boruch and Devorah, you must,” says Debbie Hochberg, West Orange resident. “Shabbat at the Klars is magical and meaningful. It is the happiest place in town. There is joy and love and warmth and spirituality. Everyone is always welcomed with open arms and open hearts. The effects will linger long after Shabbat is over and will have a very positive effect on your everyday life.”
Devorah says, “It’s time for each of us to stop, take an account of what is really important in life, family, friends, personal and communal growth. Shabbat is the gift from God that keeps on giving. It’s for each one of us to discover and express who we really are and how we find meaning in life and make a difference. And guess what? It’s fun!”
The Klars serve up a multi-course feast every week, with l’chaims, sharing, meeting new people, singing and a lot of laughter. When the rabbi is asked, “Why the Shabbat House? You have always had so many guests in your home,” he answers, “Until now, you needed an invitation from someone. Shabbat House is located right in the center of West Orange, really the center of Essex County, at 664 Eagle Rock Avenue across from Reuben’s Deli, on the corner of Eagle Rock Avenue and Haller Road. It is a house built for the Shabbat experience for everyone. It is YOUR Shabbat House.”
In addition to Friday night dinners, there will be a Kiddush Club on Saturday afternoons with learning, traditional foods like cholent, l’chaims and more fun. In preparation for Shabbat there will be cooking together, challah making and an exciting new program, “Loaves of Love,” so that on Friday everyone can distribute the challahs they made to people in the community.
The Klars say, “Our celebration of Judaism must be meaningful, incredibly relevant to our personal and family growth, and most important, joyous. Perhaps one day, not so far off, our Shabbat House prototype will be replicated in communities around the country and around the world.”
Shabbat House is coming and everyone can be a part of it. Come, bring friends and family, neighbors and co-workers. Find out how to help volunteer or be a “Builder” of Shabbat House by donating online.
For more information, you may call 973-731-0770 or visit www.shabbathouse.org.
