Chabad of Hawaii — Local services in Honolulu

I am writing this review of my Passover experience at Chabad Hawaii in order to save others from a similar experience. (Since I wrote this review, I learned that they moved to a different space.)

Unfriendly and unwelcoming: After I arrived in Hawaii, I went to the Chabad to say hello and introduce myself to the Rabbi and Rebbetzin. The Rebbetzin was brash and dismissive. She said that she did not have time to speak to me. I had traveled on a plane for six hours to spend my chag with them and she could not spend two minutes to welcome me. Not once during the entire nine days that I spent with them, did the Rabbi or Rebbetzin make any effort to have a conversation with me or even say hello.

Poor meeting space: The space was messy, dirty, dark, hot and extremely noisy. Because of the poor acoustics, fans running and people talking, I could not hear the services, the Rabbi's speeches or have a conversation with the person sitting next to me and others at my table.

Poor quality seder: The haggadah that was used for both seders was a children's haggadah. It was full of large pictures and lacked commentaries, depth and meaning. The environment was extremely loud and it was impossible to hear. I believe that there was an assumption that the guests were at a beginners level.

Cost and unfair treatment of guests: The price of the meals was exorbitant. For just one meal I paid $95. I was aware of the price before I signed up and agreed to it yet, I found out that another guest paid $60 for the same meal, others paid $18 and still others paid nothing. I had all my chag and intermediate dinner meals with them. The cost was unreasonably expensive. I think that I may have subsidized other guests' meals without my permission. I felt taken advantage of.

This was not my expectation of what I know Chabad to be.

I would never go there again and recommend that others steer clear.

I have read the response from Chabad of Hawaii and it is a joke.

Regarding the cool reception when I stopped in to say hello, it was early in the day and the Rebbitzem could have at least spent two minutes to be courteous.

Regarding the meal that was delivered at 10:30, I had come to pick up my uber expensive prepaid $95 meal and it was not ready and there was no one there. Then I had to call several times and beg to get my promised meal. (There were no other places that had kosher food.) The meal was delivered reluctantly and way beyond dinner time, the time that it was promised.

After I posted the review, I received calls from the Rebbitzen asking me to remove my review. There was no apology. There was no offer to make things right. There was still an attitude of uncaring and self centeredness.

In one of her replies, the Rebbitzen said that there were "complaints every step of the way." That is just not true. I never spoke to her or the Rabbi about my experience because they were never around or available for having a conversation. They, not once, asked me how things were going. Every step of the way, they demonstrated that they just didn't care. Interesting enough, they had time to communicate with me when they a saw the poor review. She also said that I never showed up to pick up my meal at the prescribed to time. That is not true either. I went to pick up my meal and no one was there. I called her many times and she did not answer the phone. When she finally contacted me she sounded put off because I wanted my $95 pre-paid meal. It was 10:30, way past dinner time.

It is interesting that the Rabbi and Rebbetzin are dismissive and unapologetic.

Lastly, there are others who agree...

My husband, infant and I stayed at the Ala Moana hotel, as it was the hotel that essentially houses the chabad. We were told that there was only one issue, that there was a a few steps from the hotel to the entrance of chabad that did not contain an eruv and that we could get a bellhop to carry our infant that distance. Well, this was definitely NOT the case. Not only was our room only accessible by electronic key, but there was no way down to the lobby. The staircase had automated lights that led to an emergency exit only. The elevator could only be accessed by sliding your key card. My husband and I had only three hours to Shabbos, so we went down to the chabad for answers. Only a few people were around. No one said hi to us, nor welcomed us. When we asked where the rabbi was, we got shrugs. Finally, I asked for the Rabbi's cell phone number. When we called, the rabbi seemed confused that we were asking questions. "Don't worry, we have Shabbos goi's who do melacha for us." That was his answer to everything. My husband and I had no choice but to stay put. It was rush hour in Waikiki and traffic does not move. My husband and I ran downstairs for licht. Again, no greetings, no "where are you from's," nothing. We felt SO unwelcome. We just wanted to eat our meal, which was a whopping $35 per meal per person. Yes, you have that right. For two adults, it cost us $140 for Shabbos. Now, granted fruits and vegetables cost more in Hawaii, as do meats. Got it. However, this food was unedible. The chicken was so salty, it couldn't be consumed. The salads were mass produced before Shabbos and served for both meals. Well after one night of sitting in dressing, the green salad was limp and mushy. The cholent beans were not cooked and the actual broth was luke warm and a deep, dark brown. The food was inexcusable. It was flat-out disgusting. And I paid $140! I could have purchased my own food for less than half of that. Now I don't mind supporting local organizations, but I realized why my bill was so high, for food that was sub-par. The reason why my bill was so high, was because I was footing the bill for all the locals. After our dinner, we were escorted up to our room. But come morning, we were literally held hostage until someone came to get us. The person who was supposed to be at our door at 10am, didn't show up until 10:30. And after lunch, all the Shabbos goi's had left. The rabbi had forgotten or failed to ask a Shabbos goi to stick around so we could go back to our room, which by the way, we paid for an extra half a day to stay there until Shabbos was out! We asked a bellhop to carry our infant the few feet, as we were told they would do; however, the bellhops argued with us and told us it was a liability! We felt completely robbed and lied to! Not to mention, we ended...

I was quite excited to celebrate yet another Passover season, and to learn that I'd be near the ChabadofHawaii (this particular year) was super exciting.

I would like to send a very special thank you to the Rabbi who welcomed me into the weekday morning prayer(s); thank you for your kindness. Also, a very special thank you to Jewish community member Sarah, who welcomed me and also helped me to best understand appropriate customs for this congregation and also discussed Torah history with me.

The Pesach is such a sacred time, and it was lovely to meet congregation members who showed genuine care for people, even if a guest of the community.

Note: It would be very helpful to note on the website events that are exclusively specific to the Jewish community only, or if anyone on the world wide web is invited to join. Some congregations clarify those that are understandably sacred and closed events versus those that may be open to all... this is such a great help to anyone viewing options to attend.

Thank you again for your hospitality &...