{"id":46254,"date":"2025-03-28T01:35:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T08:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=46254"},"modified":"2025-03-27T16:56:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T23:56:17","slug":"chabad-opens-a-new-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/28\/chabad-opens-a-new-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Chabad opens a new library"},"content":{"rendered":"

Artist Mari Sue Baga listens as Rabbi Shmuly Hecht talks about a painting of the Lubavitcher Rebbe that she made in his honour.<\/em> (photo from Okanagan Chabad House)<\/i><\/p>\n

On March 9, the Chabad Living Library officially opened its doors to the public. The afternoon event was attended by members of the Okanagan Valley community and beyond, celebrating the launch of this new addition to the cultural and educational landscape of the region.<\/p>\n

One of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of an original artwork by local Jewish artist Mari Sue Baga. The painting, entitled \u201cLiving Legacy,\u201d depicts the Torah as a living, breathing guide, illustrating the timeless wisdom that inspires and shapes Jewish education throughout one\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Artist Mari Sue Baga\u2019s painting, entitled \u201cLiving Legacy,\u201d hangs in the Chabad Living Library. (photo from Okanagan Chabad House)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Artist Mari Sue Baga\u2019s \u201cLiving Legacy\u201d has been made into a card. (photo from Okanagan Chabad House)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baga spoke about her work and shared her inspiration behind the piece. She also surprised Rabbi Shmuly Hecht with a painting of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Menachem Mendel Schneerson) that she had made in his honour. She presented it to Hecht, thanking him for his service to the community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hecht is the rabbi and emissary of Chabad to the Okanagan Valley. He spoke to the crowd about the significance of the library and its mission. He described a library as an inexhaustible source of wisdom, emphasizing that Jewish sacred literature, passed down by the sages, offers endless lessons to illuminate life\u2019s path. He also explained that the Chabad philosophy \u2013 blending intellectual growth with emotional harmony \u2013 is embodied in the new library\u2019s offerings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe essential thing is the deed,\u201d Hecht concluded, encapsulating the library\u2019s focus on both knowledge and action.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a small Jewish community, you\u2019ve got to be creative, and keep finding new ways and avenues to engage and inspire,\u201d he said. \u201cThe library was a perfect idea and just what the community needed. Our vision for the future is to make the library go mobile, and offer its services to communities all throughout the several-hundred-kilometre radius of space that we service, so we can include more Jewish people in the impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

The launch featured a variety of activities for all ages, including crafting sessions for the children. Guests were treated to sushi prepared by Jewish sushi chef David Dodgson & Co. Live music from Isaac Bloom and fellow University of British Columbia Okanagan students set a lively tone, enhancing the celebratory spirit.<\/p>\n