Rebeca Kuropatwa – Jewish Tribune
Winnipeg – The new Lubavitch Jewish Learning Centre here officially opened recently with a dedication ceremony attended by more than 500 guests.
The construction of the centre in Winnipeg’s South End is a major community milestone. From start to finish, it was built in eight months. The last community institution built in the city was in 1997, when the Asper Jewish Community Campus opened.
“Winnipeg’s new Jewish Learning Centre will enable us to continue to service the Jewish community in so many ways, and take it to the next level,” said the centre’s Rabbi Shmuly Altein.
“The key to Jewish continuity is quality Torah education for people of all ages, regardless of background, affiliation, or level of observance. Chabad has no membership and embraces every Jew equally,” he said.
The opening event took place at the centre, which is on Mathers Avenue. There was a Chanukah concert featuring Brooklyn singer Chaim Fogelman, an inaugural mezuzah ceremony, special video presentation about Chabad, community menorah lighting, Chanukah Silly Bandz, live music and dancing, fireworks, holiday refreshments, and a police-escorted 25-plus car parade (with menorahs mounted on the car roofs).
The rabbi said, “We took the warmth, joy and celebration to the streets of Winnipeg and spread the light.”
At the mezuzah inauguration ceremony, Rabbi Altein said, “Some of our big donors who dedicated a room in the new Centre mounted mezuzot onto the door posts – very much in the spirit of Chanukah or chanukat habayit, just as the Macabees rededicated the temple during this time so many years ago.”
After the last mezuzah was mounted everyone said “mazel tov,” confetti fell from the roof and the party began.
“Overall, the atmosphere in the large auditorium was electric,” Rabbi Altein said. “Everyone was in high spirits and has great hopes for the future.”
At the opening, Premier Greg Selinger delivered words of support and helped light the new Chanukiah (designed by the community’s Maxim Berent and his father).
The building of the centre cost $3.5 million. It was infused with $640,000, half from the federal government and half from the province. The city contributed $25,000, and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba contributed $75,000. The remaining needed funds will have to be made up by private donors.
“The name Chabad means chochmah, binah, and da’at (understanding, learning, and wisdom),” said Rabbi Avrohom Altein, the driving force behind Winnipeg Lubavitch for nearly 40 years.
Yaakov, can you share your successes in fundraising and gov grants? what are the secrets you’ve learned in finding funding for this incredible building.
Mazel tov to you and your wife and to the other wonderful shluchim of winnipeg.
wow ..mazel tov mazel tov on your hard work. The building looks amazing. you guys pulled it off….bh you joined the winnipeg family..if not for you both, there would be not much happneing here.
all the best…hotzlocha raba
i had a chance to tour the entire building. i was impressed by the layout, the design and the use of natural light.
(the basement is a million light years ahead of OB’s Bath House – the knowledgeable will understand.)
it is beautiful how all the Chabad families work together to bring the Rebbe’s message to Winnipeg through different projects, events, and classes.
YASHER KOACH to Yaakov and Faygie for their dedication to the building. it is already the foundation for more and better Peulos for the Winnipeg Jewish community.
Aliza Karp
very nice to see that the building is finally up, great work rabbi y. simonds
Rabbi Altein Rabbi Charytan..,shmuly r yakov amd rabb heidimgsfeld. U are all amazing together with ur families. Thanks to there is
chabad in winnipeg!!
Wow! Shmuly & Adina! Yasher Koach! You have literally turned over the place since you arrived and have become a force behind this all, Altein Sr. for so many years of work that you put into this and always managing to make things bigger, better & stronger. Heidingsfelds & Simmonds for helping make this happen too.
Yacov,
Your work is amazing. Chazak!!!!
mazeltov to all of you hatzlacha rabba u`muflaga l`maaleh gam me`ham`shuor may we always here good news from your part of the world
Go Rabbis Simmonds and Heidingsfeld and Altien!!
Rabbi Altein is an example of what a chasidishe shliach is supposed to be. hatzlocho rabbo and yes yaacov simmonds has been the driving force behind this whole project. having been there for a summer years ago its nice to see they finally have the building.
Rabbi shmuly and adina altien you both took winipeg and changed that place for the better. you made it what it is today…u both made the building happen wow you guys are amazing shluchim and you did soo much for me and my children …thank you!!!
go rabbi y simmonds for all your work to put the building up
if not for you it would be a dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I grew up in Winnipeg and I am absolutely delighted to see this growth in the South End. It is amazing to see the perseverance of the Chabad Shluchim, who live in such a cold climate, come to fruition. I remember when Chabad in the South End started as just a small store front in 1997! The Shluchim, who have been there for over thirty years, can really be proud of what they have done and are doing for the community. Most of all, I am impressed with their ability to raise such fine children outside of the Chabad hub… Read more »
Adina good for you we hear great things about you here in MN
Rabbi Yacov Simmonds has worked for many years to put ths building up. He is the driving force behind it. Keep up the good work Yacov!
the shluchiim are amazing – much hatzlacha!!!
An admirer from Europe
Mazal Tov!
Having roots in Winnipeg, it’s really great to see all the hard work you put in has come to fruition!
You should continue to grow & see lots of Chassidishe Nachas from all.
Great Work!!!
you should go from strength to strength, and use the new building for many many simchos, peulos, and tremendous hafatzas maayanos!
the shluchim in winnipeg are absolutely amazing people!