Mat-Su Jewish Center raises nearly all of the $120,000 fundraising goal

PALMER — The Mat-Su Jewish Center, Chabad Lubavitch, nearly raised all of their $120,000 fundraising goal during a recent online campaign to make improvements to the campus.

“It worked out beautifully. This community is such a warm and giving community,” Mat-Su Jewish Center Director Rabbi Mendy Greenberg said. “It’s so much beyond what we ever dreamt. It’s clear that it’s not about us. It’s about what we represent, which is way beyond us, something that transcends us, our Godly mission here.”

The Center called out to the public for help furthering their mission of serving the community with a 36-hour online fundraiser. They ended up raising $115,744 of the $120,000 goal. Greenberg said the surge of donations and dedicated sponsors willing to triple each contribution was overwhelmingly encouraging, giving them plenty of momentum to finish the year strong.

“I’m always touched by how everyone is so welcoming and so kind and so embracing of the Jewish community… I think this is another proof of seeing how people are united even though people who don’t know each other or are involved in a personal way to our organization, that they feel that they should take out of their own money and gift to a cause that will not help them personally in any way,” Greenberg said.

Funds raised will go directly toward upgrading the campus by purchasing an adjacent property, expanding the parking lot, and adding a more accessible driveway to access the Center.

Greenberg said they hope to at least have the driveway expanded with some of the new parking space complete before the snowfalls. He said they intend to keep raising funds for campus development and their general efforts throughout the year, whether it’s their youth and adult programs, community events, or annual holiday celebrations.

“It comes in one end and goes out the other end for the expenses. So, we’re extremely appreciative and we’re very thankful to God, through all the people that helped,” Greenberg said. “It’s just amazing that we can rely on the community and the community sees how important this endeavor is.”

Greenberg said they’re celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year in September. He noted that they’re also excited to catch up with the public through their booth at the upcoming Alaska State Fair.

For more information, call 907-350-1787, email admin@matsujewishcenter.org, or visit matsujewishcenter.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com