Warming Alaska: The Mat-Su Jewish Center

Thirty years ago, a young Rabbi, Yosef Greenberg, and his family prepared to move from New York City to Alaska in order to create a Jewish outpost in Anchorage. In preparation, they visited their spiritual leader, the beloved Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson. In typical fashion, the Rebbe greeted and blessed the young family. Then he counseled them, “Make it warm there,” he instructed. “Make Alaska warm.”

So they worked to warm. Over the years, they established a Jewish Campus and the Jewish Museum. They shared the warmth of God with Jews and non-Jews alike. They gave and received, blessed and were blessed in turn.

Twenty-five years later, the pattern continued. In 2015, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, Rabbi Yosef’s son, brought his young family to the Mat-Su Valley to strengthen our Jewish community. The Greenbergs invited local Jews to the dinner table in their rented home, and shared the Jewish message of warmth with the community at large.

And they have been warmly greeted themselves. “The Valley really welcomed us in a beautiful way,” commented Rabbi Mendy during my visit with him at the lovely Mat-Su Jewish Center last Thursday. “Just [regular] people, the city, politicians, everybody; it’s been really beautiful.” For example, their Chanukah menorah displays around the community have been well-received. “We get [remarks] about them all the time. The Jewish and the non-Jewish community love them.” Local Chanukah celebrations, held in Palmer over the years, have been typically attended by more than 75% non-Jewish guests. “This is good for the Jewish community,” explains Rabbi Mendy. “When they see that everyone appreciates them for who they are, respects them for who they are, it makes them feel more comfortable about who they are themselves.” Later he comments, “This is also about spreading the love of humanity everywhere—being a welcoming, non-judgmental place for every single Jew, and for every single human being.”

As Jews and non-Jews gathered in ever-larger numbers in the Greenberg home for Friday Shabbat dinners and other services, it became clear that a larger space was needed. Two years ago, local philanthropists helped the Greenbergs find and acquire the ideal place, a beautiful home in a central location. Other friends spent months of personal time preparing the building for its current use. “This whole new facility, which is going to be our permanent location for years to come, God willing, is really with the help of both the Jewish and non-Jewish community. We’re very grateful for that,” says Rabbi Mendy. “Very humbled by it. Really a miracle that it worked out this way.”

And what does this beautiful new Jewish Center offer, I ask? Plenty, it seems. Jewish services are held weekly. A preschool operates in a cheery basement room. After-school Hebrew classes for children are currently available on Zoom. Bar-Mitzvah and Bat-Mitzvah preparation is available, as well as adult education classes. Rabbi Mendy’s wife, Chaya Greenberg, is holding a variety of women’s gatherings. And as the COVID threat diminishes, the Greenbergs plan to restore the well-received Friday night Shabbat dinners. Jewish holiday events have always been an important part of the center, often documented on their Facebook page. Additionally, Rabbi Mendy has begun organizing an English-language Jewish lending library as well. Information about all these events can be accessed on the center’s website: www.matsujewishcenter.org or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/jewishmatsu.

As our interview wound down, Rabbi Mendy shared some words of counsel for these difficult times: “It’s important for people to try to connect with something that transcends the physical, the material. Something enduring.” Remembering that we are all created with the spark of Divinity by one Creator can help us to have respect for each other, even if we disagree. How to apply that understanding? “Make it a habit to give to charity.” He notes that many Jewish homes have a Charity Box—a container to collect small change so families can practice giving. Donate its contents to any good cause but create a habit of putting something in the box daily. “As you’re drinking your coffee, think about someone who doesn’t have coffee,” and put in some coins. Over time, that selflessness can change how we look at ourselves, our lives, our surroundings. We feel purpose.

Rabbi Mendy noted that Judaism teaches that it is our privilege to be God’s emissaries in preparing the world to be a Godly place, a peaceful place. “We have to be there for others. We have to think beyond our differences, beyond our traditions.” Warming Alaska indeed.

Kristin Fry is a happy resident of Palmer who loves winter sunsets, 5 a.m. milkings (really, it’s beautiful then!), and children’s laughter. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.