Exploring Seminary Options? Think Montreal

Post-high school girls considering options for a highly enjoyable, rewarding, and fulfilling Chabad seminary experience are being encouraged to take a fresh look at the Chaya Mushka Seminary in Montreal — this by recent graduates and long-time alums of the program, who look back at the time they spent there as being among the most memorable and impactful experiences of their lives.

One such alumnus is Chaya Fridman, who attended the Chaya Mushka Seminary as a student and returned five years later to serve as “madricha,” a counselor and mentor to students.

“The most important for the girls to realize is their emotional, social, educational, spiritual, and physical needs, which can be met at a wonderful educational center in Montreal, Canada,” Fridman said. “Besides, Montreal is just a 6-7 hour drive to New York, which allows the school to organize periodic trips to the Ohel and Bais Chayenu – not to mention the trip to Eretz Yisroel likely to happen this year. It’s really a win-win in so many ways!”

Established in 1988 in honor of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson OBM, the seminary has provided post-secondary school learning and skills cultivation of the highest caliber to some 2,000 young women from all over the world, enabling them to contribute to the continuity and strength of the Jewish people on many fronts.

“Today, the alumni of our seminary are among the brightest shining stars in so many different areas of achievement in communities all over the world,” said Mrs. Adina Ceitlin, Principal of the Chaya Mushka Seminary. “This is a tribute to a seminary program staffed by some of the most brilliant, dynamic, accessible, conscientious, and tuned-in Chabad educators of our time.

“Whether a student’s interests or aspirations lie in the pursuit of personal spiritual growth and development, a career in Jewish education or Shlichus/community outreach work, or even a secular profession in social sciences or the like,” said Mrs. Ceitlin.

“The diversity of subject matter and hands-on experiences offered at CMS provide each student with myriad opportunities to broaden their horizons during this critical year. While often referred to as a ‘gap Year,’ it has come to represent so much more in the lives of our students.”

The seminary’s curriculum includes a wide range of course options in Nigleh, Chassidus, philosophy, practical halacha and hashkafa, Torah and science, educational tools and methodology, life skills, music, finance, computer science and design, communication and relationships, and the challenges of leadership.

These are complemented by co-curricular electives, such as chavrusa programs, outreach projects, farbrengens, Hebrew school teaching, hospital and senior home visitation, and school productions, as well as extracurricular recreational activities, including physical fitness, swimming, Krav Maga, make-up and hairdressing, and culinary training.

Organized school trips throughout the year include excursions to scenic destinations throughout Canada, such as S. Agathe and Niagara Falls, and recreational activities, such as snow tubing near Quebec City, hiking on Mont Royal, and bicycling at the Old Port and Lachine Canal.

Spiritually oriented trips include visits to New York around “Yoma d’Pagra” (auspicious days on the calendar) and in-house and off-site Shabbatons highlighted by world-class scholars and speakers in the world of Lubavitch.

Although the seminary’s annual trip to Israel was suspended from the Covid years and on, the school’s administration is looking forward to reinstating the action-packed trip across the length and breadth of the Holy Land this coming year. “We aim to give our students the best of all worlds – in matters of ‘gashmius’ as well as ruchnius,” said Rabbi Avraham Cohen, Director of Finance.

A sentiment further validated by alumnus Chaya Fridman, who praised the school’s bright, modern, and spacious dormitory facilities (with no more than two – three girls in a room), as well as the tastiness and plentifulness of the food served at all three meals each day.“

With such a large group of young women with their diverse tastes and dietary preferences, we were still able to give high marks to the food served at an institution,” said Fridman. “During my time at CMS, I rarely heard complaints about the food. We were all happy. It’s a credit to a school that is constantly looking out for the needs and well-being of their students.

“In sum,” concluded Fridman, “I would say that this seminary is one of the best-kept secrets in Lubavitch – but it shouldn’t be! Any serious-minded Lubavitcher girl looking for a well-rounded, well-balanced program of growth, education, friendship, and recreation should look no further than the Chaya Mushka Seminary of Montreal!”

A limited number of new scholarship funds have become available for the academic year 5785 –  the seminary’s fall semester, commencing September 2024, and its winter semester, beginning January 2025 – granted on a need and first-come basis.

For further information, WhatsApp: 514-345-9963 or email: [email protected]