New French Riviera Chabad Opens

City officials of Le Cannet were proud of the new Chabad center, noting that it was the first ever synagogue in the township. Full Story

May 5, 2018 – 20 Iyyar 5778

City officials of Le Cannet were proud of the new Chabad center, noting that it was the first ever synagogue in the township. Full Story

By COLlive reporter

A new Chabad center was inaugurated in Le Cannet, a township bordering Cannes in the French Riviera this past Sunday.

Some 250 Jewish families, many of them have moved to Le Cannet in the last years, have been living there raising the important need of establishing a synagogue for the first time.

Chabad of Cannes and the region, directed by Rabbi Yehouda Leib Matusof and his son Rabbi Mendel, started a branch there in September 2014. Appointed as Shluchim there were Rabbi Levi and Mouchka Gourevitch.

With the growing number of Jews and the success of the many activities
for all ages, the previous location has quickly become too small. A new and easily accessible place was found in the center of Le Cannet.

Renovation and security work had to be done, and the Chabad Center was inaugurated on Sunday, becoming the first synagogue in town. The municipality welcomed the creation of the synagogue with great enthusiasm.

Mayor Michèle Tabarot and her brother Philippe Tabarot, Vice-President of the Regional Council, have a long-standing friendly relationship with the Jewish community and the Matusof family.

Opening the event was Rabbi Youdi Lewin and welcoming remarks was shared by Rabbi Levi Gourevitch, inviting the crowd to frequent the new center. Rabbi Mendel Matusof spoke of the importance of opening new Chabad centers and gratefully thanked the sponsors.

Stating that “You are at home in Le Cannet,” Philippe Tabarot said the City of Le Cannet is proud to inaugurate this Jewish center.

“It is a place of worship, but also a place of life that we have just inaugurated. And we are happy to have in Le Cannet, this place which praises the love of others.”

Muriel Di Bari, First Deputy Mayor, added that it was “an important event for the City, which is happy to meet the expectations of many local residents.”

A Mezuzah was placed at the entrance by the Head Shliach Rabbi Yehouda
Leib Matusof, followed by a ribbon cutting. Participants were welcomed inside to explore the center and raise a L’chaim.