“Shikun Chabad” in Jerusalem stands as a central pillar of the Chabad-Lubavitch presence in Israel’s capital. Established in the early years of the Rebbe’s leadership, the neighborhood was developed following his directive to Rabbi Azriel Zelig Slonim, a key figure in Chabad’s activities in Israel.
In addition to housing for families previously scattered across Jerusalem, the Rebbe instructed the creation of essential community facilities: preschools, a cheder, yeshivas, a shul, and a mikvah. Interestingly, the foundation stone was laid by two Chabad children, as per the Rebbe’s instructions. The first families moved in by 1961, with full occupancy achieved after the Six-Day War. The Rebbe encouraged Chabad families to settle in the area despite its proximity to the Jordanian border.
The neighborhood became home to not only Chabad Rabbonim and chassidim but also to prominent Torah scholars, including Rav Ovadia Yosef and Rav Ben Zion Abba Shaul. Rabbi Gershon Chein, a distinguished chossid from Lubavitch, served as the community’s Rav.
For over sixty years, the Chabad shul has been a spiritual center for Jews across Jerusalem. With its location now central to the city, the shul hosts dozens of daily minyanim, attracting nearly two thousand worshippers each day.
Rabbi Chaim Menachem Teichtal, the longtime board member of the Shul, requested the Rebbe’s permission to dedicate the Shul in memory of the Rebbe’s father, Horav Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn. After receiving the Rebbe’s approval, the shul was named “Heichal Levi Yitzchak.” The shul remains active around the clock, with ongoing learning and davening, along with numerous shiurim.
A dedicated wing of the shul houses a Kollel for Chassidus, serving married men from all communities. The women’s section hosts regular classes in Torah, Halacha, and Chassidus, led by the shul’s Rav and prominent women in the community. This section was named “Heichal Chaya Mushka” in memory of the Rebbe’s wife, with his blessing.
Over the years, the shul underwent expansions and renovations, but ten years ago, space once again became an issue. A major renovation project began, covering the main shul, three additional shteiblach, the women’s section, the Kollel, a kitchen for Kiddushim and farbrengens, the mikvah, and the entrance courtyard.
Generous donors stepped in, dedicating the renovations in memory of their loved ones. The renovation of the main Shul, “Heichal Levi Yitzchak,” was dedicated as “Ohel Shmuel Meir,” and its entrance was named “Shaar Teichtal.” The second shtiebel was named “Ohel HaKedoshim,” with its entrance called “Shaar Yakubovitch.” The third shtiebel was named “Ohel Aharon Mordechai,” and its entrance, “Shaar Miriam.” The Kollel was dedicated as “Ohel Yagdil Torah,” and its entrance, “Shaar Frishman.” The Ezras Nashim, “Heichal Chaya Mushka,” has its entrance named “Shaar Offen.” The kitchen for Kiddushim and farbrengens, “Bubbe Libe’s Kitchen,” was dedicated by the Farkash family’s grandchildren.
As the 80th yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn approached, the renovation of the fourth shtiebel—the largest—was completed in memory of Reb Boruch Shifrin, a dedicated mashpia who had served Horav Levi Yitzchak.
Reb Boruch, born in 1905 in Paritch, White Russia, studied in underground yeshivas before learning near the Rebbe Rayatz in Rostov and Leningrad. He later settled in Vitebsk, where he was deeply involved in supporting Tomchei Temimim and maintaining the last surviving mikvah, despite the dangers. During WWII, Reb Boruch fled to Leningrad and then to Alma-Ata, where he merited to serve Horav Levi Yitzchak during his final months.
In his later years, Reb Boruch moved to Shikun Chabad, where he continued his lifelong dedication to mikvahs by renovating and expanding the local mikvah. Rabbi Shifrin served as the shul’s mashpia, delivering deep shiurim in Chassidus and serving as a personal mentor, fulfilling the Rebbe’s directive of “aseh lecha rav,” for many in Shikun Chabad and beyond. He passed away on 20 Tishrei, Chol Hamoed Sukkos 1986, and was laid to rest on Har Hazeisim.
Recently, Reb Boruch’s son, Reb Tzvi Hirsch Shifrin (the head gabbai of 770 Montgomery – Anash Shul), took on the task of beautifying the shul where his father had learned, davened, and inspired others. The special shtiebel was dedicated in his memory.
Rabbi Tuvia Zilbershtrom, the Rav of Shikun Chabad, along with Reb Menachem Weissfish and Reb Gavriel Halperin of the shul’s administration, extend their deepest gratitude to Rabbi Shifrin for his generous contribution and wish him a long life filled with good health and nachas from his family. They look forward to celebrating the completion of this building soon.
