New Youth Directors at Chabad Natick

B"H

Press Release
From: Chabad Center
159 Boden Lane
Natick, Ma. 01760
Contact: Rabbi Levi Fogelman
508-650-1499
rabbi@chabadnatick.com

“Prayers are being said daily for those who were affected by this pandemic. May G-d send a speedy recovery to all those in need.” said Rabbi Levi Fogelman, Director of the Chabad Center, located in Natick. “As far as activities go, we are now offering classes, services, and even Hebrew School on the zoom platform, but we also need to be creative and simultaneously keep our eyes on the future. With less community gatherings and events possible at the moment, it’s actually an opportunity to come up with ideas that might not have been tried otherwise, and also prepare for special new activities to begin the moment we all get out of this.” said Rabbi Levi Fogelman.

The timing is right for innovation and new programming for another important reason. It coincides with the arrival of a young couple joining the Chabad Natick team as Youth & Program Directors, Rabbi Dovid and Shternie Zaltzman.

The couple will be working under the leadership of Rabbi Levi and Chanie Fogelman who co-founded the Center 30 years ago and have been leading Jewish Community family and youth activities since. They have also helped establish other Chabad Centers in the Metrowest: in Sudbury, Milford and Wellesley. But this move is closer to home with a focus on growing the Jewish youth development in Natick and it’s surrounding towns.

Rabbi Dovid Zalztman has extensive experience and the creative knack that is so necessary in creating children's programs. He has spent many summers and Jewish Holidays running camps and youth programs in America, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Born and raised in Toronto, Zaltzman began organizing community events even as a young teenager. Recently, he led hands-on Jewish Holiday Workshops all over the 5 boroughs, besides teaching elementary school, going on three years. Zaltzman’s creativity landed him in puppetry and performing which he loves to do but never on demand. He received his rabbinic degree from the former chief rabbi of Israel at the Rabbinical College of America and will also practice as assistant rabbi.

Shternie Zaltzman is from Melbourne Australia and chose Natick for its similar socio-cultural dynamic “the friendliness, even when screened by social distancing is so refreshing coming from half a decade in the city”. Shternie studied in Aussie and in Israel before settling in NY. She loves energy and people almost as much as a heated discussion. As the third of twelve, she has a talent with little people, and taught preschool in the Upper West Side for three years. Her artistic hobbies took to the fore when she received her graphic design diploma and headed the layout department for the Jewish Learning Institute in Brooklyn since 2017. That’s where she was at before coming down, but as she says, “there’s a very thin gap between complacency and being game for more.”

For years, the Chabad Center in Natick had been successfully involved in running many Jewish Community family and youth activities. Children’s Model Matzah Bakery, Shofar Factory, Menorah Making in Home Depot, Ten Commandments Ice Cream Party and much more. This, together with an increase of young families who have been moving to the Metrowest area, underscored the need to bring in a young couple wholly dedicated to Youth and Education Programs. Funding for salary, however, had remained a challenge.

“We’re grateful that three dedicated community members enabled a fund to support this growth, outside of the annual budget. These funds will allow Rabbi & Mrs Zaltzman to focus their efforts with peace of mind,” Rabbi Fogelman added. The Chabad Center in Natick is a registered non-profit.

The new couple plans to open a branch of the worlds largest Jewish camping network—Camp Gan Israel—this August (Covid-19 government regulations pending) and are taking over the leadership of the Chabad Hebrew School. Chabad’s Hebrew School is a hands-on and engaging Sunday program with hundreds of alumni. The couple are also preparing for Jewish themed workshops and will be coordinating children’s Shabbat & Holiday services at the Chabad Center on 159 Boden Lane.
“We’re excited about the Zaltzman’s joining our team and are all looking forward to what's to come,” added Rabbi Levi Fogelman.