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For the past six years the Chabad of Southern Somerset County has been widely known for being an enjoyable, non-judgmental, and an accepting place.

To celebrate the center's connection with the community, Chabad held their sixth anniversary gala dinner May 12, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Somerset, where Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula (D-17); David Gross, CEO of the Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; and Carl and Mindy Offit were honored.

"At Chabad, we try to see what can be done for others," Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, the executive director of the Chabad of Southern Somerset County, said.

Carl and Mindy Offit of Hillsborough, who have been members of the Chabad for the past five years, received the Hebrew School Parents of the Year award. They said they were delighted that they were honored, but surprised as well.

Carl told The Jewish State the Chabad has had a major impact on his family's lives. The Offits have met many new people and made new friends, in addition to going from a non-religious family to a fairly observant family.

"It's changed a lot of the ways we sort of live our lives," he said. "Once we joined, we just started doing things. Going to services once a month, being at the various celebrations and functions that they have."

The success of the Chabad is due largely to the efforts of Krinsky and his wife Miriam, who is the director of the Hebrew school, Carl said. The Krinskys are warm and accepting people that embraced them with open arms, he said.

"They make it so it's enjoyable," Carl said. "It's part of your life, rather than something that you do."

Mindy said they decided to become involved in Chabad because her older sister is involved with Chabad in north Jersey and told them how exciting and fun it is. For Mindy, who grew up religious, being involved with Chabad means a great deal, but it's even more meaningful for their daughter Rachel, 14, who now truly enjoys Hebrew school.

"It's a match made in heaven for Rachel," she said. "Hebrew school used to be about book work, now the kids live."

Carl said what really impressed them was how accepting and tolerant they are to all Jews. The Krinskys bring a unique sense of creativity and energy that is unlike most people, he said.

"It feels right, spiritual, it's substantial," he said. "It's what religion is sort of supposed to be."

Chivukula, the first Indian-American elected to the state assembly, said the sixth anniversary dinner was very special and he felt very honored to have been there. What happened in Mumbai last year was a travesty, but it will bring Jews and Hindus closer, he said. Both the Jews and the Hindus have minorities, but they are accepting, warm, and friendly people. The Chabad of Southern Somerset County, just like the one in Mumbai, is doing amazing thing for not just Jews, but for everyone, he said.

"Shmaya is doing a fantastic job," he said. "We need to eliminate hatred, teach acceptance, and that being different is OK."

In life, succeeding at your job is not difficult at all if one truly enjoys what they do, Gross said. Gross said when he became the CEO of the Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, it was the icing on the cake for him. When Krinsky visits patients at the center he brings smiles to people's faces and everyone is eternally grateful for that, he said.

"But, taking over the Jewish home, which was in financial stress here in the community really made it all that much more important to us," Gross said. "It was an added dimension that made it very special."

The past six years have been very exciting and fulfilling, Miriam said. Since the Chabad's inception six years ago, she and Shmaya have met many people and have seen them get deeply involved with the Chabad.

"We try to have that personal touch," she said.

For Jane Eisen Cubides, the Chabad is home for her. Growing up she was very religious and used to attend shul with her father and was very active in the Jewish community center. When her father passed away many years ago, however, she said she stopped being so religious.

As they got older, she and her husband, Wilson, moved to Somerset where a friend of hers suggested she should come to a Torah study class. After that class, she realized she was back where she belonged and that she had filled the missing void in her life since her father passed.

"They're amazing people," Cubides said. "They're everything; words can't describe it."