Anchorage, AK – A July 4th ribbon-cutting in front of hundreds of esteemed guests, religious leaders, philanthropists, politicos, and well-wishers marked the grand opening of the Alaska Jewish Museum, and with it, the Esformes Jewish Campus of Alaska, which includes the Gan Yeladim Early Learning Center and the Lubavitch Center, which will house Chabad’s social and spiritual outreach programs.
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LUBAVITCH.com (http://bit.ly/159lkoX) reports that the museum will also be home to a permanent exhibit, “On the Wings of Eagles: Alaska’s Contribution to Operation Magic Carpet,” the post WWII effort that airlifted Jews from hostile territories and relocated them safely on friendly soil.
On hand at the gala were two heroic Operation Magic Carpet pilots, Sam Silver, 95, and Elgen Long, 85, who regaled attendees with first-hand accounts of flying 16-20 hour missions in DC-46 and DC-4s rescuing Jews.
The opening of the museum brings to fruition the life-long vision of Rabbi Yoseph Greenberg and his wife Esty who have spent the last 22 years building the Jewish community in and around Anchorage.
Rabbi Greenberg said the event caps his and Esty’s commitment to honoring the wishes of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who told them to “warm up Alaska” when they first decided to relocate decades ago.
Esty Greenberg explained that Campus project was made possible by a matching fund campaign set in motion by Chicago philanthropists Rabbi Morris and Delicia Esformes back in 2007.
In addressing the assembled guests, Rabbi Esformes said, “When we cam off the plane yesterday, and we got a tour of the building, all I could do was cry. This is truly magnificent.”
My daughter taught for the Greenbergs in Alaska. For one year she was part of the “Chosen Frozen.” She had an incredible experience!
Again, Chabad leads.