Ellington, CT -- On the property of Knesseth Israel Synagogue, located at 236 Pinney Street in Ellington, lays the original cornerstone of this house of worship. Etched in the worn stone, chiseled in Hebrew letters, is the name of the congregation and the Jewish year “5674,” corresponding to 1913-1914. This small synagogue is marking its 100th anniversary!
On a recent Monday morning, some thirty individuals gathered at Knesseth Israel to celebrate a momentous occasion. Young Joshua Ellin reached the age of thirteen. On this special day, he observed his Bar Mitzvah in the same place that, decades earlier, his father had marked his, and -- even decades before that -- his grandfather had celebrated his. This was a third-generation Bar Mitzvah!
Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky, Director of the Chabad Jewish Center which is affiliated with the congregation, officiated. “This synagogue has a long and rich history,” said the Rabbi. “We intend to keep that legacy going.” To that end, several events are being planned for this milestone year.
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At the opening of the service, Josh donned the “Tefillin” for the first time. This ritual is reserved for Jewish men above the age of thirteen. “It is very meaningful for us to see our son continuing the family tradition,” said his mother, Tammy.
A few minutes later, the Torah Scroll was removed from the Holy Ark for a brief reading. The Hebrew words were chanted expertly by Mr. David Burstein, a longtime member of Knesseth Israel. After Josh was called up for the first time, Mr. Burstein shared a personal reflection. “I remember your great-grandfather reading from the Torah in this very place,” he told the Bar Mitzvah boy.
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Following the prayers, the assembled gathered for a delicious brunch and joyous toasts. “It really is beautiful to see this place come to life,” said Rabbi Wolvovsky. “We hope we can make the previous generations proud.”
The congregation is planning another service on Sunday morning, February 10th. The event is free and open to all. In addition to prayers and Torah reading, it will include interactive study and refreshments.
For more information about Knesseth Israel or Chabad, please call Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky at (860) 659-2422, e-mail Rabbi@ChabadER.com, or log on to www.ChabadER.com.
