Judaism Educator Chai Respes Headlines Black History Month Lecture

Press release from Lions Gate:

Feb. 3, 2023

Monday, Feb 6, 7:30 pm at Lions Gate Life Plan Community,

1100 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ

Chai Respes is a lifelong student and educator of Judaism. He is the grandson and pupil of the charismatic leader Rabbi Abel Respes, the first Rabbi of color in Philadelphia who founded Adat Beyt Moshe Congregation in North Philadelphia in 1951 and later moved it to Elwood, New Jersey. He is also the nephew of Rabbi Gamliel Respes who continued his father's work to educate others about the challenges he and many others face as Jews of color in this region. Now, Chai, the third generation, is continuing to carry the torch to bring more inclusion and understanding through education and dialogue. Lions Gate Life Plan Community is pleased to kick off Black History Month with Respes and his distinguished family legacy.

"I am particularly honored to speak at Lions Gate this year because I want to recognize and acknowledge the residents there who more than understand the challenges of discrimination. They lived it." notes Respes, "Many were around during the Civil Rights Movement. They understood my uncle and grandfather's positions more than others because they experienced it in a more tragic way during the Holocaust and WWII. I also live by the motto, l'dor v’dor -- making connections between generations. It is important to find ways to keep educating and encouraging everyone to look past differences and see a commonality among us all. It is too easy to hide behind fear and retreat to only what we know and not step out of our comfort zone to learn more about others who are probably more similar to you than you think."

As a teen, Chai Respes moved through the ranks of United Synagogue Youth (USY) and spent many years as a USY coordinator for several shuls. He is a member of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, NJ, as well as Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. Today, in addition to leading Junior Congregation Services for pre-b'nai mitzvah youth, he also teaches Junior College and the Confirmation classes at Beth El. He also chaperones the confirmands' annual trip to Israel, igniting the flame of Judaism's light for a new batch of teens each year.

As a founding member of Achim Sheli: My Brothers and Sisters – a new group at Congregation Beth El celebrating ethnic and cultural diversity – Chai remains at the forefront of advocacy for Jews of Color. He is currently enrolled as a Rabbinic student at Rabbinical Seminary International. In his professional life, he is the Deputy Director of Human Resources for the State of New Jersey and lives in Voorhees with his wife, Tonia, and their three sons.

Affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, Lions Gate Life Plan Community is a not for profit, full-service continuing care retirement community of more than 300 residents. Our senior living options range from Independent Living to a full continuum of on-site care including Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care, Short-Term and Outpatient Rehabilitation and Memory Care. An active art studio, indoor heated pool, fitness center, musical & theater events, chef’s table, and monthly excursions are among the many activities provided to residents. Lions Gate University offers continuing education and lifelong learning classes. Lions Gate offers 100% kosher dining and is situated on 50 beautiful acres in Voorhees, NJ, just off Haddonfield-Berlin Road. Visit www.lionsgateccrc.org

This press release was produced by Lions Gate. The views expressed here are the author's own.