Maricopa will soon have its first Chabad Jewish center, according to InMaricopa. Rabbi Dov Ber Fridman and his wife, Rivka, are set to move to the city with their three children and open the center in August 2026.
The center is expected to start out in the family’s home before moving into a larger facility later on. It will operate under Chabad of Arizona, which is led by Rabbi Zalman Levertov.
Fridman and his family are relocating from Toledo, Ohio, where they worked on senior programs and outreach. In Maricopa, they plan to create programs and services based on community needs and serve as a hub for Jewish life.
Fridman said the center’s purpose goes beyond serving Jewish residents alone, saying the goal is to help people with spiritual needs, practical help, transportation, or simply someone to talk to. The center will rely on donations and fundraising to support its work.
The opening announcement has also brought some online criticism, including anti-Jewish comments on a fundraising post, but Fridman and others involved say they remain positive about the center’s future, according to InMaricopa.
