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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing Chabad of Solano County on its ten-year milestone in the creation of a Chabad Center for Jewish life in Vacaville (Supervisors Spering and Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Spering and Supervisor Vasquez request the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing Chabad of Solano County on its ten-year milestone in the creation of a Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Vacaville.
SUMMARY:
Chabad Centers began in 1965 with the mission to reach out to all Jews and reconnect them to their roots, as formulated by Chabad leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The first center to be built in the nation was at the University of California, Los Angeles. A second one in Berkeley followed in 1973. Today 48 Chabad Centers are in the Bay Area alone, with over 4000 Chabad Centers in all 50 States and more than 100 countries worldwide.
In 2009, Rabbi Chaim Zaklos, his wife Aidel Zaklos and their 3-month-old daughter Mussia, came to Vacaville to found the Chabad of Solano County. Previous efforts at building a Jewish community in the Vacaville/Fairfield area had failed and the public perception was that there were no large numbers of Jews present. Ten years later, the Jewish community in the Vacaville and Fairfield area transformed from a handful of connected Jewish residents into a thriving and expanding Jewish center.
In December 2014, the Chabad of Solano County organization purchased an over 8,000 sq ft. compound at 730 E. Main Street in Vacaville with the vision of creating a “one-stop-Jewish-life” synagogue and community center. Four intense fund-raising campaigns raised nearly three-quarters of a million dollars that financed the down-payment on the building, commissioned the first new Torah scroll in Solano County, funded furnishing of the sanctuary, created a social hall and the first public kosher kitchen, and built a Mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath.
A Mikvah is an essential part of a Jewish community. It must meet certain biblical requirements that govern how it is built, what materials can be used, and prescribes how the rainwater to fill it is collected. There are only eight other Mikvahs in Northern California. The ceremonial opening is planned to occur in the near future
Last year, the Vacaville City Council approved the East Main District mixed-use development program, a project which will be built around Chabad of Solano County. Future expansion plans for the Chabad Center to include an outdoor area and a kosher market and deli.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt the resolution. This is not recommended as adopting this resolution presents an opportunity to recognize an important milestone of the Jewish community in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION