New Shluchim to Michigan

Rabbi Menachem and Chana Caytak (nee Shemtov), together with their daughter Chaya Mushka, have founded a new Chabad Center in Troy, Michigan.

Within the first few weeks of moving into their Troy home, the Caytaks have hosted Shabbos dinners and greeted many local Jews who had long believed they were the only Jews in the neighborhood.

The Caytaks’ dedication to building a Jewish community in unexpected places was instilled in them since childhood.

Chana, 21, is the daughter of Bassie and Rabbi Levi Shemtov, founders of the Friendship Circle of West Bloomfield. Menachem, 23, is the son of a Chabad rabbi in Ottawa. His parents supervise Jewish adult and children’s libraries and a preschool.

They have been raised to instill a love of Judaism in all Jews no matter where they live or their level of observance. Many of Chabad’s rabbi and rebbetzin teams, numbering in the thousands, may live in remote corners of the country and may reside far from their families or a prominently Jewish neighborhood. Chana said she is very fortunate to live just 45 minutes away from her family in West Bloomfield.

“My wife and I watched and learned from the examples of our parents, who have spent their lives giving to and serving others,” Menachem said. “Like other young couples, we always knew we wanted to open a Chabad center somewhere in the world.”