By COLlive staff
Videos by Shlomo Chaim Rivkin – Rivkin Media

Nearly 500 community members, supporters, and friends packed Boston’s John F. Kennedy Presidential Library as Chabad Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts celebrated 25 years of growth, community, and Jewish life.

Hosted by Shluchim Rabbi Mendy and Grunie Uminer, it was an evening marked by inspiration, gratitude, and extraordinary momentum for the future.

The atmosphere was electric. Families, longtime supporters, young professionals, community leaders, and friends gathered to celebrate a quarter century of impact and to look ahead to an exciting new chapter for Jewish life in Greater Boston.

Throughout the evening, guests reflected on friendships formed around Shabbat tables, children discovering pride in their Jewish identity, meaningful life-cycle moments, and a community that has become a home for so many.

The gala, themed Bringing It Home, honored Robert Kraft with the M’Dor L’Dor Award, Tracey and David Frankel with the Visionary Award, and Inessa and Victor Rifkin with the Community Builder Award.

A highlight of the evening was an address by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who spoke about the global impact of Chabad and the enduring vision of the Rebbe.

“Wherever a Jew finds themselves, at whatever stage of life, Chabad is there,” Kraft said. “This global vision comes from the Rebbe’s unwavering belief that no Jew should ever be alone and that every Jew matters.” Looking around the packed ballroom, Kraft added, “The Rebbe believed that no Jew should ever feel alone. Tonight, in this room, you are proving that vision true.”

Kraft also spoke warmly about Rabbi and Mrs. Uminer and the community that has emerged over the past twenty-five years, describing a place built on warmth, dignity, joy, and Jewish continuity.

Throughout the night, speakers reflected on the remarkable growth of Jewish life in Chestnut Hill and the thousands of individuals and families touched through Camp Gan Israel, holiday celebrations, women’s programming, educational initiatives, Shabbat experiences, youth activities, and community events.

Rabbi Uminer reflected on the community’s unique journey, recalling years of gathering in schools, tents, parks, restaurants, and temporary spaces throughout the area. Yet despite the lack of a permanent facility, the community continued to grow because people found something deeper than a building.

“People did not come for beautiful buildings,” he said. “They came because they found a place they could call home.”

Mrs. Uminer spoke about the privilege of watching Jewish life flourish across generations.

“There are young families choosing to build their lives here,” she noted. “Children who grew up in this community are now returning to raise families of their own.”

Visionary Award recipients Tracey and David Frankel reflected on the role Chabad has played in creating meaningful human connection in an increasingly distracted world. Contrasting the pace of modern life with the warmth of Shabbat, David described arriving at a Chabad Shabbat table as finding “dry land” and spoke of the community as a source of what he called “Authentic Intelligence” rooted in friendship, family, conversation, and genuine connection.

Community Builder Award recipients Inessa and Victor Rifkin spoke about investing in the future of Jewish life and the responsibility of ensuring Jewish continuity for generations to come. One of the evening’s most memorable lines came from Victor, who observed: “People say you’re Jewish if your mother is Jewish. I say that’s not enough. You’ll know you’re Jewish if your grandchildren are Jewish.” Reflecting on their support for the new center, the Rifkins described seeing a vibrant community, a clear vision, and a growing future already in place. What remained was creating the permanent home that would allow that vision to flourish for generations.

The evening also highlighted the extraordinary momentum behind Chabad Chestnut Hill’s new $25 million Center for Jewish Life. During the gala, nearly $3 million in additional commitments were secured, bringing the campaign to approximately $19 million.

The new center is already under construction. Foundations are in place, work is progressing steadily, and the project is moving toward completion in time for the High Holidays of 5788. The building will provide a permanent home for the programs, learning opportunities, celebrations, youth initiatives, women’s events, Camp Gan Israel activities, Shabbat experiences, and community life that have flourished over the past twenty-five years.

One of the evening’s most memorable announcements was the gift of a rare Torah scroll from Morocco dating back to the 1700s, donated by Laurie and Stanley Rosenzweig. The Torah, written by descendants of Jews expelled from Spain and preserved through centuries of exile, will eventually find its home in the new center.

Renowned Jewish singer Shulem Lemmer brought the evening’s formal program to a close, but the celebration was far from over. Guests packed the dance floor as the ballroom filled with song, dancing, and joy. The energy remained high until nearly 11 p.m., with friends embracing, families celebrating, and supporters reflecting on the remarkable growth of Jewish life in Chestnut Hill.

More than a gala, the evening felt like a celebration of community, gratitude, and shared purpose. Twenty-five years after its founding, Chabad Chestnut Hill’s anniversary celebration was not simply a reflection on the past. It was a powerful expression of a vibrant community, a bold vision, and a future already taking shape.

With nearly 500 people gathered in one room, the message of the evening was unmistakable: the strongest chapters of Chabad Chestnut Hill’s story are still ahead.