New Chabad Center In Wilton Aims To Strengthen Jewish Unity, Education
WILTON, CT — A new hub for Jewish life and culture is preparing to open in Wilton.
Chabad of Wilton will make its debut at 21 River Road "in a couple of weeks," according to its director, Rabbi Yehudah Kantor.
"A Chabad center really offers experiential and educational Jewish events with a bent towards enhancing the community," the rabbi explained.
The new operation is a satellite of Chabad of Westport, which the rabbi also runs. The Westport group has always had "quite a large representation from Wilton," prompting the offshoot. The Westport site remains the operation's flagship.
Long planned and contemplated, Rabbi Kantor said the moment to pull the trigger has finally arrived.
"The opening of the new center comes at a time when Jewish unity and pride are of great importance," the rabbi said. "In light of the Jewish community's growth since COVID-19, where more young families are moving here from New York, this is the right time to establish a new center for outreach and education."
The rabbi has plans to launch in Wilton with at least a giftery, and a slate of children's and educational programs. He said the rest of the menu would evolve quickly, as Chabad of Wilton received more input from residents.
The organization's website is already teasing courses on the Torah, the Talmud, Jewish law, and the Kabbalah.
Judaic history will also be a cornerstone.
"The controversy at the Wilton library sort of underscored the opportunity for further education and exposure to the history of Judaism," the rabbi said.
In September, Wilton Library's writer-in-residence was removed from that position after she refused to participate in a panel discussion at the Annual Albany Book Festival with someone she described as a "Zionist." The controversy spilled over into national headlines, opening wounds in the community.
Asked if the new Chabad of Wilton would contribute to their healing, Rabbi Kantor answered, "100 percent!"
New Chabad Center In Wilton Aims To Strengthen Jewish Unity, Education originally appeared on the Wilton Patch
