Lavy House dedicated as resource for community
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Lavy House dedicated as resource for community

By NJJN Staff January 20, 2016, 12:00 am Edit
Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Doug Sagal joins with children in celebration of the dedication of the outdoor classroom at the Lavy House. 
Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Doug Sagal joins with children in celebration of the dedication of the outdoor classroom at the Lavy House. 

A longtime congregant of Temple Emanu-El — who was a strong supporter of prayer, scholarship, and Jewish youth — was commemorated with the dedication of the Dr. Norman Lavy Community House in Westfield on Dec. 18. 

A gift from member Marion Lavy, made in memory and in the name of her husband, enabled the purchase of the land and building immediately adjacent to the temple. 

At once a resource for the congregation and the larger community, Lavy House is slated to serve a variety of purposes. It is a permanent space for Shabbat morning worship and will serve as a venue for adult education activities, Friday night Shabbat dinners, and congregational meetings. It will also house a young people’s lounge for temple youth groups, educational programs, and meetings. 

The outdoor space, which will be available to the entire temple community for programs, will also be the site of a nature camp to be offered in the summer.

Lavy House is also the permanent home of the Resource Center for Seniors, a joint initiative of the Westfield United Fund, Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, and Temple Emanu-El, with funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. 

Staff at the seniors’ center will provide advice and guidance to families and individuals confronting the challenges of aging and will connect area seniors to community resources. A social worker will be available to meet with individuals and lead workshops and other informational sessions. The center is open to the entire community, free of charge.

The dedication was followed by a Shabbat dinner in the house.

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