Marinovsky moved his family to Cypress in the summer of 2018 to launch Chabad of Cypress, one of 12 Greater Houston area chapters of the global organization.
Chabad gained momentum following the Holocaust with a mission to care for the spiritual and material needs of all Jews, Marinovsky said.
“What Hitler and the Nazis did was to hunt down every Jew out of hate,” he said. “[Our] message is to hunt down every Jew out of love.”
Through Chabad of Cypress, Marinovsky said he provides opportunities for local Jewish families to connect or reconnect with their faith and learn more about their culture. This includes weekly educational classes, traditional synagogue services, social activities and life events such as bar mitzvahs, weddings and funerals.
Marinovsky said when he moved to Cypress, there was no full-time rabbi in the area.
“There’s definitely a need for the Jewish population here to have a rabbi to turn to, a place to learn about their traditions, to celebrate their traditions,” he said. “That’s what we’re here to do—to provide everyone with the opportunity to connect and learn, to grow.”
Hanukkah is one upcoming opportunity for Jews to connect and celebrate their heritage, Marinovsky said. He said he encourages people during this time of year to be “light” to others, showing acts of kindness and generosity to make the world a better place.
“Ultimately the message of Hanukkah is the symbolism of light in darkness,” he said. “The very powerful concept of light is that wherever it is, even the smallest amount can chase away darkness. That’s very important in today’s world.”
Chabad of Cypress welcomes Jews of all denominations. Marinovsky said he avoids religious labels that might cause division and would rather focus on the common philosophy that brings people together. He wants all Jews to be able to experience life and celebrate their heritage even if they do not necessarily share the same ideology.
“It’s about the relationships and the impact it can have on people’s lives,” he said. “That’s really our focus: to help people live a more meaningful, happier, impactful life.”
Chabad of Cypress will gather to celebrate Hanukkah on Dec. 22 at 4:30 p.m. with a menorah lighting and other free, family-friendly activities at Jersey Village City Hall, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village.
