Synagogue opens up in La Mesa

LA MESA  — The first Jewish temple located an East County city is saying “Shalom” (“Hello” or “Peace”).

After more than a year of planning, CHABAD of East County has opened its doors near downtown La Mesa.

CHABAD, whose acronym in Hebrew translates to “Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge,” is the largest Jewish organization in the world. The East County branch is the 22nd CHABAD in San Diego County. Last December, it drew 150 to Grossmont Center for a Hanukkah lighting ceremony.

It also drew more than 50 people to Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) services last fall, when it ran High Holy Days services out of the neighboring San Carlos Recreation Center on Lake Badin Avenue in San Diego.

Started by 26-year-old New York transplant Rabbi Rafi Andrusier and his wife, Chaya, a San Diego native, the synagogue will be celebrating Purim starting at 4 p.m. Sunday at its headquarters at 8691 La Mesa Blvd. “Purim in Israel” is the theme.

“We welcome them with open arms,” said La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid. “It confirms they chose La Mesa, I’m confident in saying, because they know they’ll be welcomed in an inclusive community. We hope that all the members of the synagogue continue to embrace East County and La Mesa because of the support in our community.”

Madrid said he hoped CHABAD would join his Interfaith Council, which meets the third Thursday of each month. There are more than 40 churches in the city; more than half of which are members of Madrid’s council.

“I hope they will be part of an ever-growing collaborative group who are very successful in helping meet all the social needs of our community,” Madrid said.

While Purim officially begins at sundown Saturday, the event is being held on Sunday. The Megillah, or the Book of Esther, will be read starting at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, with an Israeli foods dinner including babaganoush, hummus, falafel and pita, served at 5. Cost is $5 per person in advance or $8 at the door.

“We would like to see a sense of community, that’s our primary focus,” Andrusier said. “People should have a synagogue as a place to go to celebrate occasions, holidays, life-cycle events, and to celebrate with each other as a community. We want to create a place where everyone feels accepted in a place where one can learn about our traditions and history.”

For more information or to RSVP for the Purim event, email Rabbi Andrusier at [email protected], call (619) 387-8770 or visit the website at jewishec.com