Our wise men say that when one moves to a new place, one's luck changes (for the better, obviously).
Beyond the meaning of mazal in Judaism (which literally translates as constellation, or zodiac sign) and beyond the idea of luck and the non-predetermination of our lives (even though God has an overall plan and observes and knows everything we do), it is appropriate to take stock of what has happened so far, to know what we can expect from the future (based on an improvement on what has already happened).
We arrived in La Plata in December 2003. We rented an apartment on the sixth floor at 56th and 10th streets. For about a year, we organized activities in conjunction with the Sephardic Association of La Plata. We also organized some activities with AMIA La Plata, where they very kindly offered us a space to teach classes to young people.
Although our relationship with "El Sefaradí" was very positive, due to certain differences in thinking we decided to open our own synagogue. We then rented a house at 15th and 50th streets, where Beit Chabad operated for more than two years.
In these two years and a bit, we experienced many beautiful and emotional moments, such as the end of Yom Kippur, with the synagogue overflowing and the vibrant singing of Avinu Malkeinu - Our Father, Our King -, dances with the Torah and, this time, overflowing joy (and lechaim), several clandestine Bar Mitzvot, that is, spontaneously and without preparation several people participated in their first approach to the Torah, 20 Tefillin were distributed to people who use them EVERY DAY and more than 30 Mezuzot, both free of charge, activities were organized where people could participate in genuine Jewish experiences (many for the first time): Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, barbecues and activities for young people.
In short, we needed a place where people could feel more comfortable, where they didn't have to climb stairs to get to the synagogue, where there weren't the rabbi's children's toys scattered everywhere, where everyone could say, "This is my place.".
Thanks be to God, in August 2006 we achieved what many would have thought impossible: buying a place. At 16th and 47th streets, we purchased a property to create a space for everyone. And since then, we've been renovating it step by step, building a synagogue, a library, a mikveh (ritual bath), a kitchen, a storage room, an office, and all the other amenities a community space needs.
While I can't be impartial when evaluating our stay in La Plata (which, to dispel any doubts, will last until the Messiah comes soon, and we all go together to Jerusalem, Amen), I think we're doing well so far. Could it be better? Yes, of course. There are many things to improve. But I think we're on the right track.
Next week we begin a new chapter. As the Psalmist says, let us all go from strength to strength, to make this city and the whole world a dwelling place for God.