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The Detroit Jewish News

Rabbi Elimelech and Chaya Sarah Silberberg came to West Bloomfield with two small children in November 1975 as shluchim (emissaries) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. They embraced the quiet, suburban community, encouraging people from all levels of observance to learn and increase their participation in Jewish life.

The Sara & Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center’s founding fathers were a group of Holocaust survivors, a group Silberberg connected to and with whom he formed the congregation. Bais Chabad initially ran out of a room in a day school, but, in 1982, they felt they had grown enough and built the current building on Maple Road, east of Orchard Lake.

From humble beginnings, the congregation slowly grew, one family at a time. At some point, it became necessary for a younger rabbi to draw in younger people. That’s when their son, Rabbi Shneur Silberberg, and his wife, Zeesy, joined the team.

Rabbi Shneur Silberberg says Bais Chabad is technically an Orthodox synagogue, but it offers a home for everyone. 

“Nobody is asked their level of observance or what their background is or how much they know or don’t know,” he said. “And that’s the goal, to be a place where everyone feels at home, and everyone has the opportunity to grow in their Torah studying and their commitment to Judaism.”

He says Elya Silfen, a congregant who is also a rabbi (but not part of the synagogue clergy), has launched an online Torah-study class based out of the congregation that broadcasts throughout the world, with students checking in from Israel, Europe, Mexico and South America. The website is chabadacademy.org.

“What COVID really taught us is you can sit in one place and broadcast to the world,” Silberberg said. “You don’t want to lose that in-person connection, but we’re trying to take advantage of that.”

Other Bais Chabad clergy include Rabbi Avrohom Weinberg, who serves as a teacher as well as a building administrator.

The Silberbergs and Bais Chabad are well known for helping the community celebrate the holidays with the Shofar Factory, Chanukah Wonderland and the Passover Matzah Factory.

Silberberg says about 120 families or so belong to the congregation, but many people who participate in different Bais Chabad programs belong to other synagogues.

“And that’s great, whether they enjoy the classes or my wife’s Jewish Women’s Circle or the holiday programs, it reaches hundreds of other families.”

Silberberg says Bais Chabad’s congregant base has gotten younger. “We do have older members who are the pillars of our community, but many of their children and grandchildren have now moved back,” he said. “Bais Chabad has a very youthful energy, and I’m very happy to say I’m always looking to add to that.” 

Bais Chabad has two major projects currently in the works. The Mallor Walder Community Mikvah Center, an approximately 2,500-square-foot facility, is about triple the space of the current mikvah and is expected to open this month or next.

The congregation is also building a new playground adjacent to its building to serve children at Shabbat youth groups, Sunday religious school classes and summer day camps. It is named Marc’s Playground, dedicated by Bruce and Mindy Ruben in memory of Bruce’s brother, Marc Ruben. 

Shneur Silberberg has heard from people all over the world that Bais Chabad has been incredibly influential in their lives. He credits his parents in that process.

“There are so many families that attribute their connection to their faith in Judaism to Bais Chabad in some form or another,” Silberberg said. 

“I’ve bumped into people — whether it’s in Israel or New York or Chicago, and certainly here in town — and when they think about their journey in life and their (Jewish journey), Bais Chabad and their experience here plays a major role. And that’s perhaps the nicest feeling to have.” 

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