Last Monday marked a new chapter for Haddonfield. The Jewish community in town has a new way to come together.
Last Monday marked a new chapter for Haddonfield. The Jewish community in town has a new way to come together.
Opening its doors just last week, the Jewish Center will be the first of its kind in Haddonfield. Founding president Ilise Feitshans elaborated on what a special moment it was to see be able to see the Jewish population in Haddonfield now has a place to call home and explore the Jewish faith.
“Constitutionally, this is what our country is about,” Feitshans said.
With the intention to provide a place of comfort, peace, serenity, education and spiritual inquiry for Jews and non-Jews in Haddonfield, the center offers space for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, according to the center’s mission statement.
The center also has a wide array of activities and services, providing Jewish prayer and performance of Jewish rituals, ceremonial celebrations, training and study in Judeo-Christian religious questions, celebrations of Jewish shabbat, holidays and creation of related cultural events.
Welcoming all members of the community, Feitshans opened the center in her own house, with the intention to keep her doors open as much as possible. With availability on minor holidays, some shabbat, high and also secular holidays, such as the U.S. National Day of Prayer and Israeli Independence Day, according to Feitshans, it is safe to say the Jewish community will always have a safe haven in Haddonfield.
“Haddonfield has 13 churches and no synagogues, therefore there is no place to ask questions or be Jewish,” Feitshans said.
Feitshans was not only inspired to start a Jewish center in Haddonfield when she realized there was a void in town that needed to be filled, but she wanted to follow the legacy her father left behind and continue his “fine” work as an American lawyer who helped found Riverdale Jewish Center in New York.
“I’m doing something for my father by doing this,” Feitshans said.
Opening at 3 p.m., the center’s debut brought forth those of a younger demographic, including Haddonfield Middle School student Hannah Kessler.
Hannah is not only proud to have a place she can worship but is thankful other members of the community are now able to have access to the center as well.
“I think it is really cool, especially for all the kids in the town because a lot of the people who are not Jewish haven’t really experienced anything like this,” Hannah said. “I think that they will be more informed and it will be special to them.”
Kessler’s father Steve, a member of the center, echoed his daughter’s sentiments, saying it will be a valuable and important feature in Haddonfield.
“For my daughter to be able to grow up in Haddonfield and be proudly Jewish is something that hasn’t been before and I think she can do that now because there is a home here,” Steve explained.
The Kesslers currently go to Cherry Hill to worship as well as partake in Jewish holidays and events; however, both Steve and Hannah have always wanted to have a Jewish center, located in the community they reside in, according to Steve. Luckily with this new amenity in town, they have a place in Haddonfield.
“There is place in town for her to experience it,” Steve said.
Cantor Scott Borsky, founding religious leader of the Center, expressed his gratitude for being part of the process and is excited to explore new territory in Haddonfield.
“It’s an honor and privilege to represent to the Jews of Haddonfield what Judaism has to offer Jews and non-Jews,” Borsky said.
The center is located at 21 Walnut St. in Haddonfield. For any questions about the center and hours, contact (856) 308–7573.
