Chabad opens its doors for the high holidays

As Jewish communities around the world prepare for the upcoming Jewish high holidays, Chabad of Orange County, based in Goshen, will be celebrating 15 years of activities and services.

Chabad began its activities in 2004 and has flourished since.

"We see tremendous growth and community involvement, each day it grows more," says Rabbi Meir Borenstein.

For the high holidays, Chabad has adopted a policy of "don't pay to pray." Services are open and free for all to come pray, regardless of membership or affiliation .

"This is not a business," says Rabbi Borenstein. "We want all people regardless of their financial capabilities to come join and pray."

To accommodate the large crowd, Chabad will be renting the Harness Racing Museum hall at 240 Main St. in Goshen to host their services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

One of Chabad's successful activities is their Sunday morning Hebrew school, where children join each Sunday to study Jewish heritage, learn how to read Hebrew, and prepare for Bar/Bar Mitzvah.

"Our motto is that when a child wakes up Sunday morning they say --Mom please take me to Sunday school," says Rivkie Borenstein, the school's principal.

She strives to bring fun and happiness into the curriculum.

Many children from Orange County, from age 5 through Bar/Bar Mitzvah age, attend, and Chabad welcomes you to join. For more information call Chabad at 845-291-0514; email chabadoc@gmail.com; or visit chabadoc.com.