The new Jewish congregation begun this spring on the North Fork by Rabbi Gadi Capela took its name, Ohel Moed or “Tent of Meeting,” from the fact that it was a sanctuary without walls, meeting in the homes of its members.
But this fall, the congregation has found a home in Cutchogue for the High Holy Days, and perhaps beyond, with the blessing of the Catholic Church.
Pictured Above: Rabbi Gadi Capela and Paul Nadel, a member of Ohel Moed Congregation, at their new meeting space in Cutchogue.
Rabbi Gadi, as he’s known on the North Fork, was the rabbi at Congregation Tifereth Israel in Greenport for 13 years until a much-publicized breakup with that synagogue last year.
But his roots in ecumenical religious circles on the North Fork run deep. He’s one of the leaders of Project Genesis, an interfaith dialogue with Father Roy Tvrdik of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Manorville and Don Russo, a former Catholic priest and the president of Greenport Ecumenical Ministries.
His friends in the Catholic church led him to Father Mike Bartholomew of Sacred Heart Parish, and its former parish hall in downtown Cutchogue, next door to the Cutchogue Diner.
Ohel Moed, soon to be incorporated with a board of directors, will hold its first services for Rosh Hashanah in that hall Sept. 11 to 13 and Yom Kippur Sept. 20 and 21.
Sacred Heart Parish is now based at Our Lady of Good Council in Mattituck, where that congregation is in the midst of building a new parish hall. It sold its other Cutchogue properties across the Main Road from the parish hall, including the former Our Lady of Mercy Regional School, to the Peconic Community School last year.
We visited the space with Rabbi Gadi and congregant Paul Nadel last week to discuss the formation of an official congregation and plans for the High Holy Days.
“I feel like we’re blessed. The community opened its arms, and it was a grassroots effort,” said Rabbi Gadi, who was working to arrange the space ahead of a delivery of furniture. “The whole year, god provided, and we got to this point. We have 50 committed members. Every new effort starts like this. You never know who’s going to join.”
Ohel Moed will not be charging for High Holy Days services this year, though donations are welcome, and Rabbi Gadi says anyone is welcome to come to participate in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
The congregation also plans to build a Sukkah — a tent meant to symbolize the 40 years the Jews spent in temporary shelters in the desert — in the small backyard of the parish hall for the fall holiday of Sukkot.
“This year, Rosh Hashanah Eve is on the 25th anniversary of September 11 — I worked on Wall Street — I was right there, and when I saw the Twin Towers collapse, my view of the whole corporate environment collapsed,” he said. The shock of that experience led him on a long path toward rabbinical school and nurturing a congregation.
“That’s why I was sensitive about the way my former synagogue was acting — like a corporation — I’m sensitive about creating a really spiritual environment,” he said.
Deborah Kassel will be the president of the new congregation, whose mottos include “Where Ancient Foundations Meet Modern Visions,” and “An Egalitarian and Inclusive Congregation.”
“I accepted the nomination with enthusiasm and pride,” she said via telephone. “I think this is a beautiful space, but it’s the rabbi that makes the space, and I think Rabbi Gadi will make it a holy space. He’s shown me a way to embrace Judaism on a spiritual and intellectual level — I hadn’t experienced that before.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with this congregation — it’s in the planning stage,” said Mr. Nadel, an active member of the congregation. “What I know is Rabbi Gadi made the Sabbath service very special. He taught. We learned something every Saturday. He deepened my appreciation of my religion like never before. Also he has an open mind. I can ask any question I like — I have a reputation as the guy who always has his hand up, and he was totally open to it. We became friends. I can talk to him about anything, and his input is always valuable. I see him as a real blessing.”
Rabbi Gadi said he’s in talks with Sacred Heart Parish to continue using the space for services, likely twice a month. While the hall is just down the street from the Cutchogue Presbyterian Church, where the North Fork Reform Synagogue holds services twice a month, “I think we cater to different people,” he said. “Maybe in the future we can collaborate, or meet on the alternate Shabbatot or share the space with them.”
The building has a commercial kitchen and had been used as part of the Maureen’s Haven homeless shelter network and for many other community events — we’ve heard tales of it being used for benefit concerts for the fire department, and ballet rails along the edge of the hardwood floors hint at a history of dance classes.
“There are so many ways you can act in a very spiritual way. We would like people to become members. We are definitely inclusive and welcoming,” said Rabbi Gadi, adding that he plans to limit evening services to one hour and daytime services to two hours.
“The population here is not observant — this area is set up for people to enjoy the beauty of this place and come for the weekend, ” he said. “I’d always wanted to have a retreat place to bring other congregations — what is called a Shabbaton, a weekend retreat where you study and focus on learning, and enjoy the beaches too. Have a spiritual, condensed weekend. People need that kind of spiritual nourishment.”
For more information on Ohel Moed, email rabbigadi@gmail.com.
High Holy Days Schedule at Ohel Moed Congregation
Rosh Hashanah
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Friday, Sept. 11, 7 to 8 p.m.
1st Day Rosh Hashanah: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tashilich at Kenney’s Beach: Saturday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m.
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur
Erev Yom Kippur – Kol Nidre: Saturday, Sept. 20, 7 to 8 p.m.
Yom Kippur Day: Monday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Yizkor Memorial Service: Monday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m.
Ne’liah: Monday, Sept. 21, 7 to 8 p.m.
The meeting hall is at 27760 Main Road in Cutchogue, next door to the Cutchogue Diner.
Keep Independent News on the East End
The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!
Advertisement
