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Jewish Community Group Sows Seeds of Faith, Knowledge

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 3, 2007

Chabad of Brandon, a Jewish community alliance established in 2004, does not have a dedicated worship building. Its members, however, are dedicated to building on their faith and increasing their knowledge of Jewish history and traditions.

Chabad members meet in small groups at the Valrico home of Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin and other locations for prayer, religious services, social activities and, the organization's cornerstone, educational classes and gatherings.

Rubashkin formed Chabad of Brandon in 2004 to serve Jewish people in the Brandon area, Plant City and Sun City Center.

The Brandon group is associated with Chabad-Lubavitch, a worldwide movement with roots that trace back to 1776.

Chabads around the world exist to help Jews learn more about their religious practices, history, customs and culture. The word "Chabad," a Hebrew acronym, combines the words chachmah (wisdom), binah (comprehension) and da'at (knowledge).

"We are not a synagogue. We are more of a Jewish center, an educational organization, for all Jews, regardless of their affiliation or level of religious observance. We are inclusive and nonjudgmental," Rubashkin said.

He estimates there are about 2,500 Jewish households, probably more, in the greater Brandon area.
"Everybody in the Jewish community is a member of Chabad of Brandon."

The group is open to all Jewish people, but the majority of its members are not Orthodox Jews. They come to Chabad to become more learned and involved in their religion.

The Brandon group offers a host of opportunities for children, teens, women and men.

Last week, at Center Place in Brandon, Rubashkin led a Model Matzah Bakery and Seder plate-making workshop for children. In preparation for Passover, the rabbi taught about a dozen youngsters to make matzah, an unleavened substitute for bread traditionally used during the Jewish holiday.

The children learned to thresh, winnow and grind wheat, mix and shape dough and bake their own matzah. They also designed their own Seder plate, a Passover tradition on which certain symbolic foods are arranged in a particular order.

Like the Seder plate and the use of matzah, the Jewish faith is laden with ancient customs and traditions. Chabad of Brandon embraces every detail, and aims to spread its knowledge and enthusiasm to Jews throughout Brandon -- and beyond.

Its Web site, www.chabadbrandon.org, is a storehouse of information and resources. It features "Rabbi's Ramblings" video clips, a "Kid Zone," audio classes and a section billed as "the world's largest Passover site."

Rubashkin is currently leading a seven-part series on the Book of Leviticus.

"The course will offer a thorough curriculum each week with selected readings, diagrams, creative exercises, Power Point presentations and specially designed student workbooks," he said.

The classes will be held at Bay Area Behavioral Services, 135 N. Moon Ave. in Brandon. The cost is $25 for the entire course, or $5 per class. The public is welcome to attend. Information: 657-9393.

Brandon News reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at lfrazier@mediageneral.com or (813) 657-4523.

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