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December 24, 2004
Eitz Chaim's new leader
Shimi Yeshayahu steps in for Avraham Feigelstock.
KYLE BERGER
While Congregation Eitz Chaim in Richmond has found new spiritual
leadership, they have managed to keep it in the family. Though his
official title with the congregation is program director, Rabbi
Shimi Yeshayahu has been serving as the spiritual head of the Richmond
Orthodox community for almost a year. Shimi is the brother of Rabbi
Shmuel Yeshayahu, who is married to Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock's
daughter Rivka and is the head of the Ohel Ya'akov Community Kollel.
When Shimi Yeshayahu came to join his brother in Vancouver in 2003,
he fell in love with Rivka's sister, Chana, and married her soon
after.
"My brother was working here and he told me to come here and
work for a few months. He wanted me to get more experience and an
understanding of American Jewry," Yeshayahu, 22, said in an
interview with the Bulletin. "After I arrived, I met
my wife and never looked back. What started as work experience turned
into a full-time job."
Yeshayahu explained that Feigelstock is still very much connected
with the congregation and is still the official spiritual leader
of the congregation.
However, Feigelstock spends limited time around the shul and leaves
the day-to-day rabbinic operations and leadership to Yeshayahu.
"Rabbi Fiegelstock actually teaches classes in Richmond at
least once a week and spiritually he is still there for all of the
congregation," Yeshayahu said.
Born in Israel, Yeshayahu moved to Italy several years ago where
he eventually earned his semichah from the Rabbinical Association
of Europe.
He is proud to be part of this time of change for Eitz Chaim and
looks forward to contributing to the positive development of the
congregation's future.
"There is a new feeling now when you come to Eitz Chaim,"
he said of how things have changed since he's arrived. "There
are a lot of new faces in our congregation. There's a younger, more
upbeat vibe when you step through the doors."
The well-travelled rabbi said that he has been very impressed with
the spirit of Richmond's Orthodox community.
"I have been to a lot of different communities throughout the
world and Richmond is the best one for me by far," he said.
"There is a strong Israeli presence in Richmond and as an Israeli
rabbi, I have a connection with them. Every day I am meeting new
Jewish people in Richmond. Word of mouth in this community is strong,
so that is how I am meeting these people."
Although he has only been a rabbi for a few years, Yeshayahu said
he loves the challenges of learning with and serving his community.
"It's hard to be a rabbi. It's a 24-hour-a-day job with no
days off," he said. "I love it, because when you see the
look in the eyes of the children learning, it is great. To succeed
in achieving your goals, like these children I mentioned, is worth
everything."
Along with the change in rabbinical leadership, Eitz Chaim is also
in the middle of a long period of physical change.
They moved into a temporary facility at the corner of No. 3 Road
and Steveston Highway just a month ago, where they will stay for
about two years. In the meantime, construction is set to begin soon
on a brand new facility on their old site at the corner of Francis
and No. 3 Road. The temporary facility includes a modern youth lounge,
which has helped attract new young families.
For more information about Congregation Eitz Chaim, synagogue programming
or the Richmond NCSY program, call 604-275-0007.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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