Chabad of Kentucky is marking 30 years in Louisville.
In March of 1985, Rabbi Avrohom and Goldie Litvin moved to Louisville with their son Shmully, who was 15 months old, to open a branch of Chabad for the State of Kentucky. Today, the Litvins are now blessed with nine children and nine grandchildren, four of whom are married and work with Chabad to help build Jewish pride and identity among Jews in Louisville and throughout Kentucky.
The Litvins’ first Louisville program was to speak about Purim at Congregation Keneseth Israel’s Purim carnival on the very day they arrived in the city. One year later, Chabad hosted its first Purim Feast, which, they claim, has become one of the largest annual Jewish celebrations in our community.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Chabad invites the community to attend a Grand Israeli-Style Purim Feast and Celebration on March 5. At the party, participants will enjoy live Jewish/Israeli music, savor a three-course Purim Feast, taste a variety of Israeli wines, squeeze Jaffa oranges into juice, have their picture taken at a replica of the Western Wall, and be able to make a card to send to an Israeli soldier.
The event begins at 5:15 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:15 at a location to be announced. The cost for the entire evening will be $30 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations needed by March 1; call Chabad, 502-459-1770.
During the past 30 years, Chabad has been active in many areas of Jewish life in our community. At the Chabad House, 1654 Almara Cir., Chabad provides programs for children, teens, young adults, men, women and seniors. There are classes in most every Jewish subject from Bible to meditation and from parenting to happiness. Many classes provide continuing education credits for different professionals.
Chabad conducts daily, Shabbat and holiday services. They offer TGIS, (Thank G-d Its Shabbos) a lively Friday night service followed by a Shabbat dinner on the second and fourth Friday nights of each month. Other events at the Chabad House include a monthly beginners Saturday service followed by a kiddush luncheon, a Sunday morning class called BLT (Bagels Lox and Torah), holiday dinners and Jewish awareness programs; including Shofar Factory, Chanukah Expo with an Olive Oil Press and Menorah Building Workshop, Model Matzah Bakery, Lag B’Omer BBQ, Shavuos 10 Commandment Ice Cream Party, and many other holiday programs.
Chabad is the driving force behind the Louisville Jewish Day School, the only Jewish Day School in the State of Kentucky. Chabad also offers Gan Israel Day Camp, a Jewish children’s day camp for four weeks each summer, as well as other activities for children throughout the year.
Chabad sees itself as the address in Louisville for Jewish education, Jewish awareness and Jewish pride. If you haven’t met the Chabad team recently, they invite you to attend the Purim Feast and Celebration or other upcoming 30th year celebration events.
