City’s first synagogue opens

Ellen McCarty

Local Orthodox Jews have a sense of permanence and stability now that the

city’s first and only synagogue, Congregation Adat Israel, is open at

5052 Warner Ave.

“It’s an incredible feeling to walk to synagogue and see other Jews

walking happily and safely to a permanent place to pray,” said resident

Felicia Coen, who for the last 18 years has worked toward establishing a

synagogue in Huntington Beach.

She said it hasn’t always been so pleasant.

When the group first began to meet at the Hebrew Academy in Westminster

and later at Meadowlark Private School in Huntington Beach, “there were a

lot of people who didn’t like us,” she said. “Even now, people beep their

horns and yell. It’s just something we have to get used to because we’re

different.”

Walking on the Sabbath is an ancient tradition. Orthodox Jews honor the

Biblical day of rest by not starting any kind of fire -- including

turning on lights, cooking and driving cars -- said Rabbi Aron Berkowitz.

The rule enables members to truly relax and enjoy their connection to God

and their families, he said.

“For six days, we work in the world and help it develop and reach its

needs,” Berkowitz said. “On the Sabbath, we reach back to our source and

recharge ourselves.”

The walk to the synagogue can be challenging, especially when some

families with small children live as far as four miles away, Coen said,

but it reaffirms the congregation’s strength. “It shows our children that

we have the strength to struggle, to walk, to build and to go on.”

Building the synagogue itself has been a long process, but the project is

finally bearing fruit, she said.

The congregation bought property in Huntington Beach in 1994, but raised funds for five years to build the synagogue’s social hall, where prayer

services will be held until the synagogue’s sanctuary is completed next

year.

The synagogue also offers adult and children’s education classes, an

important element of Jewish religion, Berkowitz said, because “no matter

how well you translate Hebrew, you lose nuances of meaning in the

process,” he said. “It is the best way to ensure we live the moral,

ethical and holy life.”

CONGREGATION ADAT ISRAEL

PRAYER SERVICES

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, 8 a.m.

Monday to Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:45 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.

CHILDREN’S HEBREW SCHOOL (ages 5-13)

Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, 4 to 6 p.m.

ADULT EDUCATION

A free “Read Hebrew America” course is offered throughout November to

teach adults how to read the ancient language.

“Body and Soul, Medical Ethics in the Light of Jewish Tradition,” led by

Velvl Greene, a professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Ben Gurion

University Medical School, will be Nov. 17 at 7:45 p.m. $10, $5 for

students. 846-2285.