Community is always at the heart of the Jewish heritage. They’ve seen their share of trials and tribulations. But by sticking together, learning together, observing together, and growing together, they have proven time and time again that the pride in their heritage cannot be shaken. In the Seattle area, there are places like Chabad Mercer Island that offer a place to joyfully celebrate Judaism, connect with other families, and broaden your knowledge. If you’re looking for a warm, welcoming place to enhance and embrace your Jewishness, look no further than Chabad Mercer Island!
About Chabad Mercer Island
9010 SE 40th Street Mercer Island, WA 98040
Chabad Mercer Island is a warm, welcoming space for Jewish people of all affiliations and observances. Anyone looking to enhance their own spiritual experiences and develop a sense of community is embraced at Chabad Mercer Island! They offer a variety of educational programming in an accepting and innovative environment for both kids and adults, working hard to create a positive Jewish experience for everyone within the Jewish community.
Chabad Mercer Island is led by Rabbi Nissan and Mushka Kornfeld, who have a passion for serving their community through unique programming and care. Nissan is a Seattle-area local with deep familial roots in the area’s Jewish community, and Mushka was an active participant in her own Jewish community in Montreal, Canada. Together with their young children, they continue to spread love, kindness, and joy through the presence and growth of Chabad Mercer Island.
Services
Chabad Mercer Island has something for everyone to explore and enjoy their Judaism! From Hebrew School to adult Torah studies and holiday festivities to community outreach, there are so many opportunities to engage with other Jewish families in Mercer Island.
Chabad Mercer Island For Kids
Children are the future of Judaism, and Chabad Mercer Island offers so many fun and engaging opportunities for kids to explore what it means to be Jewish!
Island Hebrew School
Their Island Hebrew School program is a friendly and stimulating environment where children begin to embrace and understand their Jewish roots, developing a true sense of pride in their Judaism (regardless of their level of observance or affiliation!) They’ll learn all about the joys, values, and traditions of Judaism, guided by enthusiastic and dynamic teachers who make every lesson a unique learning experience. Island Hebrew School students will learn the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph-Bais) and Hebrew literacy, all about the holidays celebrated and why they’re celebrated, and develop a deep appreciation and pride for their precious heritage.
Children of all Jewish backgrounds, lifestyles, and observances are welcome to join Island Hebrew School. Plus, Chabad Mercer Island has a No Membership philosophy, meaning your child can participate even if you aren’t a member. Every Jew is welcome in their flourishing community!
Chabad Mercer Island Mitzvahs
As your children get older and are ready to start preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, they can find meaningful community experiences with peers at Chabad Mercer Island. The Bat Mitzvah Club is a fun group that gives pre-teen girls a chance to gather with “forever friends” to navigate this exciting, confusing, and special time of life. The group offers opportunities to talk about the real issues that girls face every day, “from boys to braces,” all while learning how to cope with anything life can throw at a girl and become a strong Jewish woman.
The Bar Mitzvah Experience, or BMX, is a similar group for pre-Bar Mitzvah boys to learn the deeper meaning of what it means to become a Bar Mitzvah. Through regular meetings, activities, projects, and interactive discussions about various Jewish topics, young men will have a better understanding of what it means to be a Jewish man and the responsibilities that accompany such a prestigious honor.
Chabad Mercer Island also offers opportunities for smaller children and their families, including the Babyccino meet-up for modern Jewish moms and their little ones. Jewish Story Hour is an interactive experience full of stories, crafts, circle time, and much more in a warm, welcoming environment perfect for children 8 and under.
Chabad Mercer Island For Adults
While it’s so important to nourish and encourage Jewish pride in children, it’s also important to stay connected to the community as adults! Exploring, challenging, and embracing the Jewish heritage can be rewarding and provide clarity and inspiration in a world that can often feel clouded and confusing. For the adult members of the community, Chabad Mercer Island offers a variety of engaging programming, like Sushi & Torah (which is pretty self-explanatory) and What’s on the Menu, which allows you to host a Rabbi-led class in your home or office.
In addition to its co-ed offerings, Chabad Mercer Island also offers programming through its Jewish Women’s Circle and Men’s Club. The Jewish Women’s Circle hosts events like The Babka Bake and Hamantaschen Bake, where you can connect with other Jewish women while learning how to make a classic Jewish treat. If you enjoy a craft – or, even better, a craft accompanied by a cocktail – you won’t want to miss Mezuzahs and Mimosas, Succulents and Sangria, Resin and Rose, or the classic Paint and Sip!
For the gentlemen among us, the Men’s Club hosts social meetings and gatherings (typically accompanied by snacks and beer) where Jewish men of all ages and backgrounds can gather to socialize, chat, and learn. They also host special events like Sushi and Sake and an annual Late Summer BBQ.
Specialty
The holidays are a special reason to gather, celebrate, and reflect as Jewish people and Chabad Mercer Island offers a variety of opportunities to come together in observation and celebration. Their High Holy Day events include Shofar in the Park at Luther Burbank Park, where Jews from all walks of life can enjoy the triumphant sounds of the Shofar, the sweet taste of apples and honey, and participate in the timeless Tashlich tradition. The Rosh Hashanah Street Fair is a great way to observe the new year with everyone in your family! Experience challah baking, making Shana Tovah cards, making resolutions, and taking part in a variety of games and activities.
Of course, Chabad Mercer Island also offers plenty of fun and engaging opportunities to celebrate holidays like Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, and Pesach. Be sure to check out their website for all of their incredible holiday events that will help you stay connected to your Judaism while socializing with other Jewish families and making memories with your own.
Your Whole Family Will Love The Community At Chabad Mercer Island
Chabad Mercer Island is a wonderful community that celebrates Judaism with joy, insight, and, of course, community. Check out one of their upcoming events to see for yourself what makes this wonderful Jewish resource an amazing asset to the greater Mercer Island area.
If you’re looking for another way to make this stage a little more enjoyable, I would love to connect. I’m a Mitzvah photographer, and I adore working with parents so they can remember this amazing celebration. If you’ve been considering booking a photographer for your child’s Mitzvah, then let’s chat! So you can decide if my style is right for you. Contact me today to get the conversation started!
