By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — The sounding of the Shofar during the month of Elul, a ribbon cutting, a shot of whiskey to wish everyone l’chaim, and the placing of a mezuzah on the door of 7189 Navajo Road were some of the ceremonies attending the grand opening of Chabad of East County’s permanent home on Sunday, Sept. 7.
Among other highlights witnessed by hundreds of people seated in the parking lot of the congregation’s new headquarters were the recitation of Psalm 124 by students Josh Scop and Tom Balash of the Hebrew School of the Arts; the reading of a letter written by the late leader of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, on the occasion of the opening in 1972 of a Chabad center in Paris, France; and greetings by San Diego City Councilman Raul Campillo and by a representative of County Supervisor Joel Anderson.
Beaming through it all was the emcee, host, and spiritual leader of Chabad of East County, Rabbi Rafi Andrusier, and Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier, who had moved to the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego approximately 10 years ago and built up the congregation little by little in the next decade. Seven years ago, the Andrusiers moved the congregation from their home on Beaver Lake Drive to rented space at 7290 Navajo Road, located across the street and just east of the newly purchased headquarters dedicated on Sunday.
In a way, the Andrusiers’ progress was reminiscent of the Chabad movement’s overall growth in San Diego County from a single center opened by Rabbi Yonah Fradkin in 1975 at San Diego State University to today’s 30 Chabad centers under his jurisdiction in San Diego County and environs.
Fradkin, dean and leader of the Chabad movement within San Diego County, said the grand opening was evidence that “miracles can happen.” Just as there were doubters in 1975 that Chabad could thrive in San Diego County, so too did some people doubt that the Andrusiers and friends could raise sufficient funds to purchase a building for its permanent home. However, said Fradkin, “this beautiful center is the result of so many people’s efforts.” About 300 donors of large and small amounts were listed in a program for the day’s activities.
Rabbi Elly Andrusier of Irvine, California, is Rabbi Rafi Andrusier’s big brother. Reading Rebbe Schneerson’s letter to the Paris congregation, he quoted the Rebbe as saying that a house has two purposes: 1) a shield and refuge from ruin; and 2) a place for a peaceful life and a permanent dwelling.
Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier said Sunday’s dedication was a “celebration of community” to “gather, grow, connect, and create lasting Jewish memories.”
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier recalled the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. He commented that the sea didn’t split until one man, Nahshon, put his foot into the water. He drew an analogy between that Nahshon and the family of Karen Rogoff and her real estate developer son Brandon, who grew up in the San Carlos neighborhood and is now living in Colorado.
Brandon’s mother, Karen, continues to live in San Carlos and was among the first donors to the cause of building a permanent headquarters for the congregation. On a telephone call with Brandon, she mentioned that she had “invested” in a real estate deal. Curiosity aroused, Brandon subsequently met with the rabbi and thereafter donated his services as an advisor and deal maker. Rabbi Rafi Andrusier presented him with a tzedakah box symbolizing the gift he gave to the congregation.
Councilman Campillo, a Roman Catholic, quoted the prophet Micah and Mother Theresa in his remarks. Theresa, recently sainted by the Catholic Church, taught the first step toward world peace is to “go home and love your family.” He paraphrased Micah as saying that the Lord requires of us to act justly, be merciful, and walk humbly with our G-d. He also related how moved he was on a weeklong visit to Israel to put his hand on the rocks of the Kotel and to realize how close he was to the ancient Holy of Holies.
Major contributors to the afternoon, including Olga Worm of Bekker’s Catering who prepared a kosher dairy buffet for the guests, were invited to the entrance way for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.