On Monday, September 9th, Jewish teenagers joined with guests and lay leaders in the dedication ceremony of the Chai Cafe, a project of the Chai Center led by Rabbis Yossi Kessler and Naftali Perlstein.
The Cafe, in existence for many years, has recently undergone a face-lift thanks to the generosity of philanthropist Irwin Beutel and will henceforth bear his name.
Rabbi Dovid Perlstein, director of the cafe, explains the important role the cafe plays in the lives of hundreds of Montreal Jewish teenagers and young adults: “Rather than filling their spare time by roaming the streets and frequenting the bars of downtown Montreal, the Chai Cafe is a fun place for them to enjoy entertainment, do their homework or simply hang-out in a wholesome, inviting Jewish environment.”
The timing of the event, which takes place between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, is particularly significant, says Benjamin Haziza, associate director of the cafe : “The High Holiday period is one of renewed commitment to Jewish value and continuity. Irwin’s generosity in refurbishing the Chai Cafe has generated new excitement among its young patrons and is sure to attract even more young people through its doors.”
“I am very proud to lend my support to the Chai center in this worthy project. Fostering Jewish identity among our youth is a high priority for all of us. The Chai Cafe does a fantastic job and I commend them for their outstanding work,” says Mr. Beutel.
kolakavod to the chai family and to Rabbi Nafali!
You guys did an amazing job
go chai centre from down under
Way to go Rabbi Perlstein, You made so many Baalei Teshvot in Montreal and the world over, our community is truly indebted to you for all you have done.
May you go from strength to strength and may you be blesses with with a G’mach Chatima Tova!
We love you!
Good Stuff! Thanks to shevet perslstien et al
we are so proud of you.
hatzlacha rabah!
from ma
Our congratulations to Naftoli, Dovid Leib, Mr. Irwin Beutel, and all the staff at Chai Center,
Great work rabbi Nagtali, the last man standing.
With a mechitza, these teens WILL NOT SHOW UP!
The teens WILL go to clubs.
AND they MAY just find a NON-JEWISH ‘friend’…
Alternative:
A safe Chabad House environment – with a meaningful place for JEWISH teens (of both genders) to hangout with great RABBIs.
AND maybe, just maybe, these JEWISH teens will marry JEWISH, have YIDDISHE KINDERLACH, and live happily ever after. AND bring MOSHIACH.
G-D BLESS, gmar chassima tova!
Go Chai Center! Keep up the great work!
From Montreal with love.
It is a hangout for non frum kids who will otherwise hang out in clubs
What’s wrong with you? For sure without mechitza… The whole idea is to have them hang out between Jews with kosher food instead of hanging out in treif bar’s and meeting non-jewish mates…. Day lemeivin
This is an amazing project, I believe almost all communities would have benefit a lot of such an idea. Kol Hakavod to the donor and the shliach. Keep on the good work and let’s unite all jewish people to Jerusalem….
this is truly amazing i think there should be something like that for crown heights
It is unreal how much the Perlsteins do for this community! We can’t thank you enough!
With mechitza? Separate rooms?
It’s hard to tell from the pictures.
B’Ezrat Hashem it should bring good, Kosher Peulos.
Congrats to Rabbi Naftali Perlstein on of the most accomplished shluchim today. Kol Hakavod.
Wow kol hakavod this is an initiative every community could benefit from
go irwin!!!