Chesterfield Celebrates New Torah and New Community Home

More than 150 people gathered at the AC Marriott Hotel Chesterfield on Sunday, October 11, for an afternoon filled with excitement, Jewish pride and anticipation as Chabad of Chesterfield began writing the Joseph and Faye Rosenberg Torah and celebrated the next chapter in the development of its 15,200-square-foot community center.

Families, community leaders and elected officials watched the Torah’s first letters take shape, participating in a treasured Jewish tradition while looking ahead to a new home for Jewish life in West County.

Dedicated by Zev Rosenberg in honor of Joseph and Faye Rosenberg, the Torah will accompany the community’s prayers, celebrations and milestones for generations to come. Rosenberg addressed the gathering, sharing his family’s connection to Chabad and the significance of this lasting tribute.

“Absolutely amazing! Beautiful ceremony and Zev’s speech had me almost in tears. What a great event,” said participant Dr. Mitch Sommers.

The room was alive with conversation and the powerful emotion of taking part in a shared milestone. Participants described the opportunity to help write the Torah as a deeply meaningful experience. Parents and children gathered around Rabbi Sosover, a specially trained Torah scribe known as a sofer, who guided them as they took part in writing the first letters. Historic Torah artifacts, children’s activities and refreshments added to the celebration.

“Taking part in writing this Torah was a deeply meaningful experience for our family. Ornir chose the letters chet and yud, which spell ‘chai,’ meaning life. It was a powerful reminder that our Jewish heritage is alive, connecting us to generations before us and to those still to come. We are so grateful to Chabad of Chesterfield, Zev Rosenberg and G-d for the opportunity to be part of this unforgettable moment,” shared the Bitton family.

For Rabbi Avi and Chanala Rubenfeld, who have served Chesterfield for more than 22 years, the afternoon offered a glimpse of the life that will fill the new center.

The planned building will provide space for learning, prayer, holiday celebrations, community dinners, women’s programs, family activities and social gatherings. Beyond scheduled events, it will be a place to stop in for coffee, meet a friend, share a conversation or simply spend time together.

The vision includes a preschool where children can form their earliest Jewish memories, and a welcoming place for teens to gather, build friendships and grow as leaders. Young people will know this is their community home, too, a place where they are valued and belong.

At its heart is a simple goal: a home where every Jew feels connected, with room for new experiences, deeper friendships and connections across generations.

Attending elected officials included Missouri State Representative Ben Keathley, District 101; Chesterfield City Councilmember A.J. Moll, Ward I; and Chesterfield City Councilmember Pat Tocco, Ward II. A City of Chesterfield proclamation recognized Community Torah Day, and a video update shared progress on the building project.

Over the coming year, as the Torah is written letter by letter, the new community center will be built brick by brick. Together, these projects will bring the community closer to an extraordinary celebration: the day it welcomes its new Torah into its beautiful new community home.

That moment will bring the afternoon’s theme to life: One Community. One Torah. One Building. A Torah to treasure for generations, and a home filled with Jewish life, friendship and possibility.

For information and opportunities to get involved, visit JewishChesterfield.com. Learn more about the Torah project at JewishChesterfield.com/torah.