Chabad to Open New Jewish Community Center in Wilton Center

The following story is based on a press release and additional reporting by GMW.

Chabad of Westport has announced plans to open a new Jewish community center in Wilton.

According to a press release, Chabad of Wilton will be “dedicated to providing every Jew, regardless of background… a wide variety of educational, [social] and spiritual programs, including Torah classes, Shabbat services, and community events” and “an open-door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish life.” 

“The opening of the new center comes at a time where Jewish unity and pride are of great importance,” Chabad of Westport Director Rabbi Yehudah Kantor said.

Chabad of Wilton will serve as a satellite to the flagship center on Newport Tpke. in Westport, but with programs and resources tailored to Wilton residents. Initial plans include a seasonal Judaica store; “Mommy and Me” programs; book readings and holiday-oriented programs for children and teens; and adult classes on spirituality, mental health, and life balance. 

GMW reached out to Rabbi Kantor for more details, including the plans for the location. He revealed that Chabad just signed a lease at 21 River Rd. for a streetfront location in Wilton Center.

“It’s great to have a downtown presence. We’re very excited about it,” he said.

He also recognized the location may not be permanent, given Kimco‘s plans to redevelop the complex.

“This is where we’re starting,” Kantor said. “That’s where we’re establishing now — we’ll kick off from there.”

Kantor told GMW the decision to open in Wilton was “a very natural progression” given the expansion of activity at the Westport location, which has served growing numbers of residents of Wilton, Weston and Norwalk.

“This is the right time to establish a new center for outreach and education,” Kantor said, referring to a confluence of recent events — including the painful one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel, a rise in antisemitism throughout the world, and the public controversy over the Wilton Library‘s dismissal of its writer-in-residence, who was embroiled in accusations of antisemitism.

“The incident at Wilton Library underscores the need for spaces that promote education and dialogue. Our new center aims to be a place where diverse perspectives are respected and Jewish identity is celebrated,” Kantor said.

Even though Westport is not far away, Kantor says there’s a benefit for Jewish residents in Wilton to have such a center in the heart of their hometown.

“It’s always nice when you move into a town to have a center of community within the town itself,” he said.

While many details are still to be determined, Kantor expects the center will open quickly — possibly even within the next month — but he emphasized that specific plans are purposely open-ended, to allow for “organic growth”.

“While an extension of Chabad of Westport, it is 100% for Wilton,” Kantor said. “It’s not so much the outside coming in.”

“Not establishing the entire plan for this Chabad center is almost by design, so that we can understand the needs of the Town,” Kantor continued. “It will evolve as the needs become obvious. We’ll build [on] that, with an ear on the ground.”

A Chabad of Wilton website has already been created, including an email contact form. More details about the grand opening and a schedule of activities are expected soon. 

“From the people that we know, there’s been a very warm response,” Kantor said. He specifically singled out First Selectman Toni Boucher, who he said was very welcoming and supportive of Chabad of Westport’s plans.

GMW reached out to Boucher for comment. She wished those involved with Chabad of Wilton “great success in their new endeavor.”

“We welcome all faith-based institutions, organizations and businesses in Wilton,” Boucher wrote in an email to GMW. “Our door is open to all whose mission is to do good for our area residents and children. The diversity of new neighbors also serve[s] to enhance our community.”