Chabad of PW Celebrates Raising $2M In 8-Month Mortgage Reduction Campaign

The below article was written by John Lawrence, a senior at Friends Academy who will be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall. Lawrence volunteered at the Chabad Center in Port Washington as part of his high school's Independent Service Project.

Lawrence wrote the article regarding Chabad of Port Washington’s annual Gala to celebrate its Mortgage Reduction Campaign. "I believe that I was able to provide some insight into the center’s purpose: spreading 'Judaism With A Smile.," he said.

The article is below:

Thanks to many generous benefactors to Chabad of Port Washington’s “We’re Buying the Building” campaign, Shore Road’s remarkable Chabad center is refinanced and on the way to a debt-free future.

When asked for a statement regarding the campaign, Chabad supporter and Sands Point resident Hersh Cohen noted that ‘Rabbi and Sara Paltiel are charismatic, caring people who work tirelessly to help people reach new levels of identification with their beliefs...we are so pleased that they are now unburdened by the weight of the mortgage.’

As of September 2016, Chabad of Port Washington carried a mortgage debt of $3 million at a high interest rate. Two years ago they were forced to take this high interest loan to replace the mortgage or risk losing the 38,000 square foot building on a sought-after 2-acre plot only yards from Long Island Sound’s Manhasset Bay.

How did this unburdening take place?

Chabad supporters Jack Sussman and Milton Cooper stepped forward to present Chabad of Port Washington with a challenge. They each offered generous contributions towards a bold $2 million Mortgage Reduction Campaign, on these conditions: That the entire goal be reached by the closing date; and secondly, that Chabad of PW enter into its by-laws a permanent moratorium on any future borrowing. Meaning, once the remaining $1 million mortgage is paid off, they will remain a debt free organization in perpetuity. The goal is to ensure that the Chabad Center spreads its message of “Judaism With a Smile” for generations to come. This had been an all or nothing campaign.

To quote Rabbi Paltiel’s grateful sentiment: ‘I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the community. So many people are coming together rallying behind Chabad at this pivotal moment to guarantee this beautiful center will be here for our children and grandchildren.’

Paltiel continues. ‘I am especially touched that many of the gifts, including some major gifts were made by individuals whom are members of various congregations in Port Washington. It shows the true unity of this community, coming together to create a stronger Jewish community throughout Port Washington.’

What at first seemed like a dream, the “We’re Buying the Building” campaign is accomplished thanks to the extraordinary caring and generosity of friends and supporters of Chabad of PW. In celebration, Chabad of PW’s Twenty-Sixth Anniversary Gala will honor those who stepped forward with major gifts to this campaign.

By reducing the mortgage debt and establishing a board resolution for a permanent moratorium on further borrowing, the generous individuals who made this happen have, according to the Gala’s brochure, “planted the seeds to ensure a vibrant Jewish presence in our community” for generations to come.

Dudu Fisher, celebrated Broadway principal, star of Les Misérables and Emmy Award winner will be performing at Chabad of PW on June 6th for the gala. For more information or to purchase tickets visit chabadpw.org.

Photos provided by John Lawrence