Welcome to Chabad of Gloucester County. Our goal is to promote Jewish pride and facilitate Jewish education throughout the Gloucester County area.
Our Story
In 2007, through the inspiration of the Rebbe, Rabbi Avi & Mina Richler moved to Gloucester County with a vision to reach out to the under-served Jewish residents of Gloucester County.
For the most part the Jewish families of Gloucester County were unaffiliated or were travelling long distances to be a part of the Jewish community in Cherry Hill. The mission therefore was simple, create a Jewish Community Center with activities, programs, a Synagogue, and more, right here in Gloucester County.
In September 2007, when Rabbi Avi & Mina arrived in Gloucester County, they knew 1 Jewish family the Swansons - one of tonight's honorees. The Richler's had raised $25,000 from family and friends to carry them over until they could start counting on local support as every Chabad Center is financially responsible for their own budget.
The Richler's quickly got to work knocking on doors and reaching out to Jewish families wherever they could be found. Rabbi Avi & Mina were committed to doing this through unconditional love and support for anyone they encountered. The response from those they met was practically always the same "you mean there are other Jews in Gloucester County???... We thought we were the only ones". But everyone was happy to hear that there would finally be something local for the Jewish community and were grateful to become a part of this.
That first Chanukah, 11 people gathered at the Richler's home in Washington Township to light the Menorah and celebrate a new journey. Purim saw 40 people join in a celebration (including another of tonight's honorees, the Ruden's) and by the High Holidays, a storefront location was secured to hold the first High Holiday Services for Chabad of Gloucester County.
In January 2009, the decision was made to move to Mullica Hill, so that Chabad could be more centrally located in the County. A weekly Shabbat Services began in the Richler house, and soon 6 children signed up for a new Jewish Enrichment Program (AKA Hebrew School). Soon enough Chabad was outgrowing the Richler house and the growing community began looking for a permanent location to call home.
In 2011 Chabad purchased a house on Main St. in Mullica Hill that began to serve as the Synagogue, Hebrew School, and office of the growing operation. High Holiday Services had swelled to 100 participants and the American Legion Hall was rented for these Services and other programs throughout the year that could not fit in the Chabad House. Community BBQ's, Chanukah on Ice, Pizza in the Hut, Adult Education Classes, The Jewish Woman's Circle, were just some of the programs that were added over the next few years, and all of them have become highly anticipated events in the yearly calendar.
2013 saw some major growth spurts for Chabad. In early 2013, plans began to be drawn for the expansion of the Chabad Jewish Center. A 5600 Sq. Ft. addition is that will house a sanctuary, classrooms, a Library, Youth Zone, Gift Shop and more. These plans are currently in the advanced stages of the approval process and we are hopeful and confident that with your support, and the help of G‑d, we can break ground before the winter.
August 2013 saw another major milestone as Chabad of Gloucester County was excited to welcome Rabbi Hersh and Fraidy Loschak to the team. The Loschaks' opened a Jewish Student Center at Rowan University and have reached over 200 Jewish students in their first year. We are now currently under contract to purchase a house on Campus that will serve the needs of the Jewish Students for years to come.
Catering to the individual needs of every segment of the community, and offering programming for singles, children, seniors, and families of all ages and backgrounds, are important elements of creating a strong Jewish future. Both are reinforced at the Chabad Jewish Center in Gloucester County.
We invite you to learn more about and become part of our Chabad family as we strive to spread joy, love, spirit, and meaningful Judaism to the broader Jewish community.