Valley Jews finally have a home

Rabbi Abraham Garmaize and Temple Knesset Israel give Jews a worship center

WASILLA — Jews in the Valley are rejoicing, because they now have a place to rejoice.

Temple Knesset Israel, two months ago, became the first Valley center for Jews to worship. It is led by Rabbi Abraham Garmaize. He came to the Valley from Anchorage to start Temple Knesset Israel because he saw a need and a growing Jewish population.

"It was much needed here, and it is healthy for me to be both someplace I'm needed, and where I am needing to be personally," Garmaize said.

He first visited the Valley last summer, and that started the entire process of building a congregation.

"I met with one Jewish family, and the man recognized me from Anchorage. He asked me about starting a congregation here, and I asked him if there was a Jewish population. He said, ‘Of course, rabbi,' and so we decided to do it," Garmaize said. "People more and more are buying homes here.

"People like to live where they are more relaxed, so I said I would start a congregation. I was in Anchorage for two years, and I saw I cannot change much there. I'm 70, retired — I like it here and I wanted to be here," Garmaize said.

Garmaize closed on a home in the Valley within the last few weeks, although he has led services in the Valley for about two months. The congregation is growing at a great rate, as more and more people have heard about the services.

"I meet with five families one week, and then 10 the next week, and then five more families the week after," Garmaize said. "Not a week goes by without adding a family or two or three. We have more than 30 families now."

Some of the families were going to Anchorage previously, but most families now attending Temple Knesset Israel were not.

Garmaize's vision for Temple Knesset Israel is that it becomes the center of Jewish worship in the Valley. He does not want to limit members by defining them in any way — membership is open to all Jews, including inter-married families.

"We are open to all," Garmaize said. "I am not doing this for glory or to get rich. I'm an old man of 70 years and I want to stay here five or 10 years. That way, the next generation will not get lost. They have someplace to go."

Anchorage's Jewish scene is somewhat restricting for members, Garmaize said, and he does not want that to happen here. He said he has been encouraged by what he has seen since arriving in the Valley.

"Anchorage is a city. It is like a little New York City, where you walk around the corner and nobody knows who you are or cares about you," Garmaize said. "Here, it is not like that. After the Valley, there is nothing but mountains until Fairbanks. Here, people unite because there is nothing else."

Garmaize, who holds a master's degree in religion and a doctorate in social psychology, has been a rabbi for more than 40 years. Born in Israel, Garmaize led congregations in New York City and Chicago before going to Florida to retire.

His first wife died, and he met his current wife while in Wisconsin. She is from Alaska, and they both moved here several years ago.

"Most people retire to Florida. I retired to Alaska from Florida," Garmaize said.

While Garmaize has worked in Anchorage predominantly, he has also traveled around the state to teach Jews and lead them in worship. Some commute from as far away as Barrow and Sitka to learn from Garmaize, he said.

He recently returned from a three-day trip to Barrow, where he purchased a torah and was part of a festival there which celebrates the sun rising for the first time all winter.

He has been to every corner of the state, meeting with Alaska Natives and Jews. He said he is the first rabbi to travel to many of the locations.

"The people want to study, want to learn," Garmaize said.

The reception Garmaize has seen from non-Jews has been overwhelming, he said.

At a Four Chaplains ceremony held at the American Legion a few weeks ago, he brought a few children from his congregation to sing.

The ceremony celebrated the life of four chaplains from four different religions. For many of the children in attendance, it was their first contact with the Jewish religion.

"This is the beginning of a new era for Jews in the Valley," Garmaize said. "Before, people did not want to commit to getting to Anchorage to go to the temple. Here, they are interested because it is their home. They have asked me how they can contribute."

Last year, Hanukkah was a formal celebration for the first time in the Valley.

Garmaize has also officiated a wedding here, and he said the growth and changes he sees are encouraging.

"Times are changing. The Valley is changing. The changes are tremendous in every aspect," Garmaize said.

"We are showing that a Jewish community in the Valley works," Garmaize said.

As a testament to its growth, Temple Knesset Israel has elected officers now, as well as an education committee and a Mikveh committee.

Currently, the congregation meets at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry on Friday nights and in Garmaize's home for Saturday worship and Sunday school.

Garmaize said construction of a temple is a long-term goal, but one that can be achieved.

"I think it is very realistic," Garmaize said. "People want a place to learn and study."

For more information about Temple Knesset Israel, interested people may contact Garmaize at 357-9079.

He is interested in hearing from other Jews living in the Valley, he said.