Slightly more than nine years after the formation of Chabad of Fountain Hills and a year of building renovations, the Chabad Edelman Jewish Center will officially open Sunday, Nov. 18.

Spiritual leader Rabbi Mendy Lipskier welcomes the community to celebrate the historic occasion at 2 p.m. in the remodeled Gridleys of Fountain Hills building, 16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Both a ribbon cutting and Mezuzah affixing ceremony will be conducted.

A Mezuzah is a small parchment scroll upon which the Hebrew words of the Shema are handwritten by a scribe. The scroll is rolled and affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes, designating the home as Jewish and reminding those who live there of their connection to God and their heritage.

The 4,500-square-foot center consists of a synagogue, library, social hall and kosher kitchen.

Lipskier said the center serves the needs of the town’s vibrant and growing Jewish community and residents in nearby Scottsdale.

About 70 percent of the congregation lives in Fountain Hills while the remainder comes from Scottsdale, west of the 101.

The town’s first Jewish congregation, Congregation Beth Hagivot, disbanded in October. Lipskier has reached out to the congregation, telling them that they have a new home.

Activities will include Shabbat and holiday services and events, community dinners, men’s and women’s social events, youth programs and more, said Lipskier.

In addition, Chabad offers adult education courses which Lipskier said caters to the wider community, regardless of background or affiliation.