By , Special to JTNews
Congregation Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch is dedicating its new synagogue in the View Ridge neighborhood on March 18.
In keeping with centuries-old Jewish tradition, the move to the new synagogue will be celebrated by a festive procession during which the Torah scrolls will be carried through the streets to the accompaniment of singing and dancing. The Torah procession will begin at 1:30 p.m. sharp and will proceed from the corner of N.E. 68th St. and 40th Ave. N.E. to the new synagogue at 6250 43rd Ave. N.E. The community has been invited to participate.
Upon arrival at the new synagogue, a Chanukat HaBayit ceremony will be held during which the mezuzot will be affixed upon the door-posts of the synagogue. The ceremony will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and will feature appearances by Congressman Jim McDermott as well as former governor John Spellman, honorary chair of the congregation’s building campaign.
Immediately following the dedication ceremony, the entire community is invited to join the congregation in a festive open house with light refreshments and a children’s program until 4:30 p.m.
In celebration of Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch’s synagogue dedication, the congregation also will be hosting a Shabbaton of Jewish learning and inspiration on Shabbat Parashat Yitro, March 16—17. The featured scholar-in-residence for the weekend will be Rabbi Moshe Feller, regional director, Chabad-Lubavitch of the Upper Midwest. Rabbi Feller is well known in the world of American politics, as he has been called upon numerous times to open sessions of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives with his rabbinic invocation. In addition, he has been a member of the Lubavitch delegation to the White House more than a dozen times.
After attaining rabbinic ordination, Feller, a native of Minneapolis, was sent back to Minnesota in 1961 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He and his wife, Mindelle, were given the task of establishing a new Chabad regional office there, and creating a network of Jewish education and outreach in the Upper Midwest. Among his many accomplishments during his 40 years as the Rebbe’s Shaliach (emissary) to the region, he created the Hospitality Chabad House at the Mayo Clinic.
Rabbi Feller has traveled the world lecturing and teaching, and has a reputation of being an enchanting, mesmerizing and humorous orator.
Shaarei Tefilah’s Friday evening services begin at 6 p.m. on the 16th, and Shabbat morning services on the 17th begin at 9:30 a.m. A kiddush luncheon following morning services (at approximately 11:30 a.m.) will be another opportunity to hear Feller speak. The synagogue is located at 6250 43rd Ave. N.E. For more information, or to request Shabbat home-hospitality, call 206-527-1411.