THE JEWISH ADVOCATE DECEMBER 16, 2011 NEWS 3 Rabbi relishes being the life of the party Chai Center’s RavThe RAV’SSoloveitchik Siddur can now be YOUR Siddur. Schwartz tunes in to young Jews By Jason Kleinerman Special to the Advocate Under a clear night sky, some 100 young adults sit in the narrow yard of a Brookline house. Rabbi Mayshe Schwartz – thick black beard flowing from his chin, his signature Chai baseball cap af- Available fixed to his head – stands on a chair while his wife, Shifra, shush- NOW! es two of their seven children as Rabbi Mayshe Schwartz and his they scurry around the tables. wife, Shifra. And so it goes at First Friday So what is its mission? Shabbat at the Chai Center. “We want every Jew in Boston The guests range in age from to know that they are an important early 20s to late 30s. Some are piece of the larger puzzle and that dressed in jeans and T shirts; oth- without them the puzzle isn’t com- ers in long skirts or button down plete,” Mayshe said, while empha- shirts. Some wear kippot and sizing that the goal is not to recruit prayer shawls. an army of disciples sporting When Mayshe addresses the beards and payot. THE BERMAN FAMILY EDITION crowd, he talks about the week’s “Who’s to say that the decision KOREN MESORAT HARAV SIDDUR Torah portion and relates it to the to grow a beard is any harder or world today. His tone is chatty, not more meaningful than the deci- preachy. sion to keep Shabbos?” he said. Commentary from the Teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik A part of the Orthodox Chabad Mayshe said he sees Jews as Introductions by Rabbis Aharon Lichtenstein, Jonathan Sacks and Menachem Genack movement, the Chai Center makes each having a unique religious $PNQFOEJVNPG3BCCJ4PMPWFJUDIJLT1SBDUJDFTt4VNNBSJFTPG3BCCJ4PMPWFJUDIJLT4IJVSJNon Tefillah a point to be welcoming to Con- path, and the center’s role as help- 5SBOTMBUJPOCZ3BCCJ+POBUIBO4BDLTtRenowned Koren Design servative, Reform and unaffiliated ing them pursue it. Jews. Just consider the name of its Just as his father was a trailblaz- Web site: GetChai.com. er, Mayshe is helping pioneer One of the center’s biggest Chabad’s outreach movement Available at www.oupress.org and Authorized Koren Booksellers everywhere events is Dec. 22, when it expects among young adults. While the to host more than 500 young Chai Center provides typical adults at Jillian’s in Fenway for the Chabad functions of helping Jews Lights and Strikes Chanukah Party. of all ages connect to their faith, it The event will feature bowling, is innovating with holiday events kosher food and schmoozing. It like Sushi in the Sukkah and host- will also include a candle-lighting ing functions – with kosher food – ceremony at an ice sculpture at Boston clubs. menorah, co-sponsored by Com- “We have no hidden agenda,” bined Jewish Philanthropies, the Shifra says. “People come and take Consulate General of Israel, Havu- what they want. Our motto is zero rah on the Hill and Boston’s Israel pressure, total pleasure.” A dynamic program for preschool age Group, among others. The center’s activities include a Mayshe is as at ease with Tuesday Torah Café, offering Scrip- children and their parents razzmatazz as he is with religion. tural study with modern-day appli- Both are in his blood. Born in cations; First Friday Shabbat, Venice Beach, Calif., he is the son where a young professional crowd Chanukah Party and Open House of Rabbi Shlomo “Schwartzie” can meet for dinner and, if they Tuesday, December 20, 2011 2:00-3:00 pm Schwartz, the first Chabad campus wish, earlier for a service. The cen- rabbi in the United States. ter also offers Hebrew school and Get in the Chanukah spirit with MaimominiMensches Schwartzie got his original march- bar and bat mitzvah lessons. at our Chanukah Party and Open House. ing orders from the revered Lubav- Ask Mayshe about his ubiqui- itch Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem tous Chai baseball cap, and you’ll Preschoolers will participate in a fun activity with our Mendel Schneerson. understand his approach to being Elementary School science teacher while parents have Shifra also was raised in a a rabbi. He’ll tell you about how the opportunity to tour the school and see classes in Chabad outreach family, the his father, Schwartzie, always wore action. daughter of Rabbi David Shapiro Mickey Mouse suspenders. When of Miami. young Mayshe asked why, his dad Parking is available in the Saval building lot off Mayshe’s sisters knew Shifra, said: “When a person sees me, a Philbrick Road. and his aunt played matchmaker rabbi, it can be intimidating. The when the two met while vacation- notion that I am judging them ing in Israel. They married in Flori- based on some higher understand- da and moved to California, where ing might even cross their mind. Come Get to Know Maimo! Mayshe worked with his father. But I want them to not be afraid so that I can get to know them, and In 2006, friends lured them to We are a K-12 school with a dual curriculum that Boston, seeing the couple’s poten- who could be afraid of a rabbi pairs a superlative Torah education with an excellent tial to inspire young Jews in the wearing Mickey Mouse sus- college-dominated city. Using their penders?” General Studies program. wedding money and personal sav- And who could resist celebrat- ings, Mayshe and Shifra set about ing Chanukah in the shadow of For more information: stoking the flames of Judaism. Fenway Park? Weeks before, Ariella Brunwasser Mayshe already was savoring the Early on, it was a struggle, draining Director of Admissions their money, but not their faith. At scene: Hundreds of young Jews 2 Clark Road, Brookline, MA one point, their credit card debt gathering together to recite the alone was $100,000. blessings. (617) 232-4452 x409 Today, they are debt free and “I believe there is something [email protected] have attracted support from such real and special in that,” said www.maimonides.org established organizations as Com- Mayshe, “something people can bined Jewish Philanthropies. take with them.”.