On any given Friday night you will find the front door open at the Schwartz's Admiral home. As the sun begins to set men gather in the basement with Rabbi Ephriam Schwartz, where he leads them in prayers and songs together. They have each covered their heads and are formally dressed. Even Schwartz's 10-year-old son Yonah wears a suit and tie.

Upstairs in the kitchen joining his wife Aliza, a group of women, some in long, dark dresses have set the table with twice as many places as there are guests. It would be an odd occurrence if someone did not drop in during the meal. Most of the food has been prepared earlier that day, as well as dinner for the following night. According to Jewish Orthodox practice during the Shabbat, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, a Jew cannot work, write, or talk on the telephone. Nor can they drive (although some do) so it is important for them to live near the synagogue.

Before Schwartz moved to the community six years ago, observant Jews in West Seattle did not have the opportunity to gather like they do now for Shabbat dinners or Jewish holidays. In Seattle, a city with the reputation for a general distain for organized religion, Schwartz says people tend to be isolated and hesitate to affiliate themselves with any religious organization. After moving to the neighborhood, Schwartz found that West Seattle was no exception and that there were few centers in the neighborhood where Jewish people could come together.

Since then he has built a congregation operating out of his home, the West Seattle Jewish Learning Center. For many members it is the first time they have connected with others who share their faith.

"He just opens his table to anyone that needs a place," said congregation member Estelle Oren. "It's just like going home."

Randall Schlesinger, who has been a member of the congregation for four years, was raised in a Reform Jewish home. Still, he says that Schwartz's willingness to accept him and his bi-racial children drew him back into the Jewish community.

"He's tied us all together," said Schlesinger. "I always thought organized religion was more for the masses. This is a very intimate experience."

Many who have come to Schwartz's home don't have any other place to go. He has worked with those divorced, homeless and abused.

Joked Schwartz, "I have a strong suspicion that somewhere out there there's a bathroom that says 'For a good Jewish time call Rabbi Schwartz.'"

In one such instance a 19-year-old man diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and was living on the streets began visiting Schwartz's home. While the young man initially struggled at social events, the congregation gave him support so that eventually he went back to school, earned his GED and found a job.

Schlesinger says that such experiences are not uncommon in Schwartz's home.

"At the lowest of lows in my life this man has picked me up and help me redirect my life, not just religiously, but personally," said Schlesinger.

Schwartz describes his congregation in Seattle as more diverse than any other that he has lead and includes people regardless of race, marital status, and sexual orientation.

"We're all on a journey," said Schwartz. "If we cut out the labels we could communicate beyond those walls and barriers."

Schwartz moved from New York to Iowa, Virgina, then Seattle and began teaching at Seattle Kollel, a center for Judaic study in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood. Meanwhile a small group of practicing Jews came together to form the West Seattle Torah Learning Center. They rented out a storefront in the Admiral district, hosting classes and guest speakers. Soon, it became apparent that the community needed a full time rabbi who would live in their neighborhood and lead their community. _

So the Schwartz's began renting a home on Southwest Genesee Street where they invited both Jews and gentiles to join them. At their first Friday night service an 11 year-old boy and a man who was not Jewish were the only two who attended.

"Well, I said, we can only move up from here," Schwartz chuckled.

After about a year of networking, Schwartz had a core group of 10 men, or a "minyan," who would pray at his home on Saturday mornings. They began hosting special events, including a bonfire at Camp Long that drew between 75 and 150 people. He also rented a space in the Senior Center of West Seattle where he taught courses in different Judaic studies such as reading Hebrew.

Over the next few years about half a dozen families began gathering at Schwartz's home to eat and socialize together.

"I'm a big believer (that) if you feed them, they shall come," Schwartz said.

Schwartz has had to relocate more than once over to different rental homes since he arrived in West Seattle but was able lay down permanent roots this June when the congregation's building funds, including generous donors, helped him buy a home in the Admiral community.

Initially members of the Rabbi's new neighborhood were slightly concerned about the Schwartz's, who took three weeks to move into their new home and soon after hosted a barbeque with nearly 150 guests.

But the Rabbi has since taken steps to make his neighbors more comfortable. During the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year Schwartz rented out a home on Beach Drive instead of using his home to host festivities. Also he now insists that no one in his congregation park on his block. They must either park on Admiral Way, approximately eight blocks away, or walk from home.

"The only way you can inspire the word of God is by behaving respectfully," said Schwartz.

The congregation has grown so much over the past four years that another Rabbi has joined Schwartz in West Seattle.

Schwartz hopes that in the next year they will found a synagogue in the neighborhood. Schwartz current home is only large enough to host meals, study sessions and small prayer sessions.

For more information on Schwartz and his congregation please visit www.seattlekollel.org.

Rose Egge may be contacted at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com