What we Offer
Activities, Programs and Participants
The following is a list of activities currently being offered by Chabad of Western Michigan. A more detailed description can be found on the next few pages.
Adult Education
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Lunch and Learn
"Lunch and Learn" provides an educational opportunity for business people with little opportunity to learn. Classes take place in a business setting during lunch hour and kosher meals are provided. For 45 minutes the mundane work place becomes a center for Jewish learning and inspiration.
Shabbat
At the Chabad House, Jews from every walk of life gather. A full Shabbat program allows West Michigan Jews to participate in the wonder, warmth and excitement of Shabbat and learn why and how it is the centerpiece of the Jewish week. For dozens of families, Shabbat with Chabad is the beginning of creating and celebrating Shabbat in their own home with their own children. It is an introduction and initiation into the beauty, mystery and tranquility of Shabbat. From this intimate, family centered, experience, an ever-widening circle is growing and will continue to grow bringing Shabbat into the mainstream of West Michigan Jewish life.
Click here For Synagogue Services
Holiday Activities: The Yearly Cycle of Jewish Life
Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur
In addition to hosting all High Holiday Services, Chabad brings the holidays to the sick and homebound who are unable to attend Synagogue.
Shofar Factory
The Shofar Factory, especially attractive to young children, demonstrates how a Shofar is made and gives young and old alike a hands-on opportunity to learn about the various stages of transformation from animal appendage to ritual object.
Sukkot
Sukkot is the holiday of rejoicing. Each year dozens of guests participate in the festive holiday meals and hundreds enjoy the grand Sukkot party with lots of food, drink, music and Chassidic dancing. Chabad of West Michigan supplies Esrogim and Lulavim and introduces dozens of people to the beautiful Mitzvah of taking the four kinds.
The famous Chabad Sukkah-Mobile - a Sukkah on wheels - brings Sukkot to those Jews who would otherwise not be able to participate and enjoy.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah marks both the end and beginning of the yearly cycle of reading the Torah. We complete one year’s cycle of Torah reading and immediately begin the next cycle again. The holiday is marked with intense joy as we express our deep love for and intimacy with the Torah. On Simchat Torah, with dancing and singing, fun and merriment, we renew our connection to the living, breathing Judaism of our ancestors.
Chanukah
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Public Menorah Lightings
Pirsumei Nisa - the Mitzvah of publicizing the holiday - is an essential aspect of Chanukah. Privately we accomplish this Mitzvah by placing the Menorah in the window of our homes. On a more grand and public scale, Chabad of West Michigan erects a large Menorah in public on the Calder plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. This Menorah serves as a beacon of light to the thousands of assimilated and alienated Jews who are easily lost to the lights and music of the other religious holidays that occur during the same season.
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Chanukah Parties
These giant, public Menorah lightings are festive events attended by hundreds of people who come to dance, eat latkes and be a part of the Festival of Lights.
Chanukah Brochures
Thousands of Chanukah brochures are mailed and Menorahs with candles are given to anyone who becomes inspired to participate in the Mitzvah.
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Olive Oil Workshop
Our "Olive Oil Workshop" gives children the hands-on experience of extracting and refining olive oil while learning about the miracle of oil that occurred on Chanukah.
Purim
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Shalach Monot
On Purim, it is a Mitzvah to distribute gifts of food to friends. Chabad distributes thousands of Purim kits containing candy and other goodies, as well as informational guides explaining the inner meaning of the holiday.
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Megillah Reading
Chabad not only has a public Megillah reading both in the evening and morning, but also visits people in their homes to assure that each person can fulfill this important Mitzvah.
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The Great Purim Dinner
The Chabad Purim Dinner is a real community wide event. The Chabad Purim Dinner begins after all Synagogues have completed their respective events in order to enable everyone to participate. It is an unforgettable event with lots of food, fun, music, and full of Chassidishe spirit.
Peasach
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Model Matzah Bakery
Children learn how Matzah is made by baking some themselves. Parent’s help in this messy and fun activity and the whole family learns about the importance and meaning of Matzah.
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Shmurah Matzah & Kashering Service
Chabad of West Michigan distributes hundreds of pounds of traditional, hand-made Shmurah Matzah for use at the Seder table. When requested, Rabbi Weingarten will personally Kasher the kitchens of people who want a true "Kosher-for-Peasach" home.
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Sedarim
Chabad Seders are open to all. For many, it is the only opportunity to observe this most special Jewish holiday. For others, it is the first step in learning how to create their own family Seder.
Lag B'omer
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Increasing unity among Jews
This joyous day marks two events in Jewish history. It marks the end of a plague that had afflicted the students of Rabbi Akiva and it is the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Akiva's prized disciple, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. It is considered an auspicious time for fostering unity among Jews and has traditionally been celebrated with outings and picnics.
The Lag B’Omer Bon-fire
This event is complete with the traditional giant bon-fire cookout, singing and story telling that brings out the beauty and radiance of this esoteric holiday.
Shavuot
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A gathering of children
In recognition of the giving of the Torah on Shavuot, all Jews attend Synagogue for the reading of the Ten Commandments. Because the children were promised to HaShem as the perpetual guarantors of the Torah, a special effort is made to have children attend. After services, the children enjoy a party where they learn to associate the giving of the Torah as a "sweet" event.
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Torah-thon
In preparation for the giving of the Torah on Shavuot, it is customary to spend the entire night learning Torah. Rabbi Liberow hosts an all-night study and discussion group on different Torah topics relating to Shavuot.
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