By Morris Malakoff, JTNews Correspondent
On a weekend that had overtones of darkness for the local Jewish community, with the painting of swastikas on Seward Park-area synagogues and vandalism of a sign at the Chabad of the Central Cascades in Issaquah, rays of joy and light shone on a bright Sunday afternoon as a milestone was celebrated.
The same Chabad of the Central Cascades that had its small street sign destroyed opened up to the community to share the dedication of its shul and the addition of the last words to its Torah, all in time for Rosh Hashanah services the following week.
September 13 was a poignant day filled with meaning for Rabbi Barry Farkash, who founded the Issaquah-based Chabad in a rented house five years ago.
Ceremonies began on the plaza at the Lakeside Montessori School. Hundreds crowded the canopy-covered space, overflowing onto the sidewalk and into the street.
“I would never have expected such a turnout,” said Farkash. ““I figured maybe a hundred or so if we were lucky.”
The gathering included local dignitaries, including Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger and Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, as well as members of the congregation and the surrounding community. A large delegation of family and friends of the Farkashes and the Chabad from around the world attended as well.
Once the ink on the Torah dried, a ceremony thanked longtime Chabad of the Central Cascades supporters Mendy and Chanie Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Following the plaza ceremonies, the entourage marched the Torah about a mile to the Chabad shul on Black Nugget Road, on property owned by the Chabad. Again, Rabbi Farkash was touched and overwhelmed by the warmness of his neighbors.
“They came out and watched and took part,” he said. “They willingly have accepted us as a part of their community.”
At the Chabad, the celebrations continued as a Tree of Life, eternal light and a new ark were installed.
The audience was visibly stirred with the dedication of the synagogue to the memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, who were killed by terrorists last November at the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.
At the dedication, Rabbi Farkash, a longtime friend of Rabbi Holtzberg, and other rabbis who had been his classmate, stood together as witnesses to the works of the rabbi and his wife.
“We could have dedicated this place to a donor or someone who is a part of our heritage,” said Farkash, “but every day, when I walk up the hill to this place, particularly when it is cold and snowy and I wonder what I am doing out here in Issaquah, I will be reminded of Gabi and Rivky in Mumbai and the work they were doing to provide a place for Jews in a non-Jewish place. I will remember that we are doing the same work here.”
Reflecting later on the acts of vandalism that had occurred on the same night both to the Chabad and at the Seattle synagogues, Farkash expressed sadness that people are still invested in evil and hate.
“As a people, we have been dealing with this for 5770 years,” he said. “It is, sadly, a part of our lives. But it also is not something to dwell on. This Chabad is about bringing light into the world. That will drive away evil. Those acts strengthen our resolve to carry on our work, much as does the needless deaths of Gabi and Rivky Holzberg in India. Our good as we start the New Year is a light brighter than the darkness of the evil of a few.”