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Carole Mikita ReportingMembers of the Jewish faith are celebrating the dedication of their new house of worship today. Members of the group Chabad Lubavitch of Utah simply outgrew their meeting house, but their Rabbi has had his eye on this building for many years.
The long-anticipated dedication day for one Jewish congregation has arrived. Rabbi Benny Zippel shows us the sanctuary.
Rabbi Benny Zippel: "When people get together to commune with God, it is an individual's relationship with his or her god. So we have the women seated on this side of the sanctuary, we have the men, and you can come in, we have the men seated on this side of the sanctuary."
The Torah, or Holy Scriptures, rest on a higher platform. Chabad Lubavitch of Utah has had this new building for about a year. The members celebrate today using two fundamental themes of their faith.
Rabbi Benny Zippel: "Cohesiveness, of getting together and of joy, of happiness and joy."
Now they have this new social hall for gatherings. Rabbi Zippel remembers arriving in Utah with his wife, Sharrone, in July of 1992. They began building a congregation. The Rabbi has hoped to buy this property since 1997.
Rabbi Benny Zippel, Chabad Lubavitch of Utah: "And we went through a lot of hurdles, had to jump through a lot of hoops, and difficulties and setbacks and so on and so forth; but we're really thrilled to have it and to celebrate with the community in this great occasion."
The rabbi says his group is part of the international Chabad Lubavitch, the largest Jewish outreach organization with 26-hundred centers throughout the world. He says everyone can always be brought a step closer to God, the door is open.
Rabbi Benny Zippel: "Everyone is welcome, everybody's part of this. please come join us and celebrate your judaism with us."
Festivities begin at 1760 South 1100 East in Salt Lake at 6:00; the public is invited. Shlock Rock, an educational music group from Israel, will perform.
