Chabad of Coronado: The Jewish Presence in our Community
Tucked away under the awning at Villa Nueva is a door that leads to the warm and welcoming environment of Chabad of Coronado. In the summer of 2006 a group of Shores’ residents contacted Chabad of San Diego to request a Chabad be brought to Coronado. Rabbi Fradkin was asked to lead and after marrying in the summer of 2007, he and his wife moved to Coronado to establish a permanent Jewish presence in the community.
Rabbi Eli Fradkin and his wife Zeldi are the directors of Chabad of Coronado. Rabbi Fradkin was born and raised in San Diego. His father, also a Rabbi, moved here from the East Coast some thirty five years ago to open a synagogue. Rabbi Fradkin is one of nine children and Zeldi is one of eleven children. Zeldi hails from Milan, Italy and is friendly and warm. A busy mother of three, with another child on the way, she is constantly active leading or organizing something at Chabad of Coronado.
Rabbi Fradkin didn’t always intend to become a rabbi. As he grew and watched his father, he thought, though, that giving of oneself is a genuine way to live. “When you think about others you make yourself happy.” He attended and graduated from Rabbinical College in New York after which he spent a year in Leeds, England to help build the Jewish community through programs and classes. He says, “That year was truly special as I got to see the needs of a small community and what makes the people (from the inside) feel proud of their heritage.”
Following his year in England, he spent the summer at camps in Estonia and Moscow. He then immersed himself for an entire year in Rabbinical training with an emphasis on Rabbinics. In June 2006, Rabbi Fradkin received his Rabbinical Certificate in Toronto, Canada. He says that if he wasn’t a Rabbi, he would be a venture capitalist. He feels that he shares many qualities with a venture capitalist; finding a product (an individual) and bringing out the immense value of the product.
Paintings by Chabad member Judy Mandel that represent Tzedakah or righteousness
It is the people of Chabad who keep it going. Unlike traditional synagogues, Chabad of Coronado does not ask for annual memberships for funds or building costs. The Chabad here, like all others, is run independently and supports its budget from within the community itself. People choose to become a partner and help Chabad continue “to spread warmth, joy, and light throughout Coronado,” offers Rabbi Fradkin. Chabad member Erwin says that “the greatest thing is that we have a presence here in Coronado.” Erwin’s comments were echoed by nearly every person I met at the Chabad. Also agreed upon was how wonderful, warm and welcoming Rabbi Fradkin and Zeldi are.
An average work week for Rabbi Fradkin at the Chabad includes time spent on classes, Hebrew school, services and assisting members of the community. He offers Bar Mitzvah preparation and hospital chaplaincy for those who are recuperating. When a new Jewish family moves to the island, the Chabad prepares a welcome basket to help the family feel comfortable.
The stairway leading into Chabad of Coronado is adorned with picture collages of members and events
The makeup of Chabad of Coronado is a true cross section of the community. The philosophy of Chabad is “leave your label by the door”; be non-judgmental. Whether you were raised very secular, are intermarried or have no prior Jewish experience, the goal of Chabad is that you will feel comfortable as soon as you walk through the door. Each person is on their own path at their own pace. Rabbi Fradkin stresses that he would never tell someone to do something they don’t want to do. The approach at Chabad is to make people proud of who they are and of their rich heritage.
When member Ellen Lindzon moved to Coronado three years ago, she was thrilled to have the Chabad of Coronado. She could have attended a synagogue elsewhere but “wanted to form relationships with the people who live around me.” She notes that the Chabad offers a great way to meet other Jewish people. She says that it is very important that there is a Jewish presence on the island and that Rabbi Fradkin “is a wonderful guy. He has a great family and knows everybody. He would do anything for you.”
Rabbi Eli Fradkin, Zeldi Fradkin, and Chabad member Natasha pose with Max, Emma, Jordan, Tali and Julie who were at the Chabad preparing for the Celebration of Purim
Rabbi Fradkin’s favorite Torah verse is from Ethics of our Fathers: “In a place where there is no man, be a man.” This verse, he says, reminds him that if something needs to be done and no one is doing it, get it done! He believes this applies to all areas of life.
In his personal time, Rabbi Fradkin enjoys being with his family and friends. “It is great to live a block away from the beach so the kids can run and play with their friends.”
As part of my research for writing this article, I attended a Torah study at the Chabad. I can honestly say that every person I encountered had not only positive things to say about the Chabad but especially about Rabbi Fradkin and Zeldi. I sat next to a practicing Catholic who attends because she loves the Rabbi and his wife and enjoys the discussion about the Torah. It was an enlightening evening.
To find out more about Chabad of Coronado and all they offer, click here.
Related: Meet the other “clergy of Coronado” here.
Kellee Hearther
Online Editorial Intern
eCoronado.com
If there is something you would love to read about, please contact me at [email protected]
