Tag: Chabad

Kindness as a matter of fact

A note that was delivered to the Okanagan Chabad Centre recently. (photo from Okanagan Chabad Centre)

A handwritten note showed up in our mailbox a few weeks ago. It was from neighbours of a different faith, with just a few lines: “Best wishes for 2026! Thank you for bringing laughter & yummy bread to our neighbourhood.”

That was all. No mention of beliefs or interfaith-type language. No apparent agendas. Just the neighbourhood.

Here’s what happened. 

On Friday afternoons, just before sunset, when our family welcomes Shabbat, a few fresh loaves of Fraidy’s homemade challah usually leave our house. Not for any special reason. It’s simply Friday. That’s what the end of the week looks like in our home.

We usually run out with some of the kids. We go next door, across the street, behind the alley, and beyond. We’re making connections, formed among people with very different beliefs and backgrounds.

One week, kosher wine appeared at our door. Another week, neighbours opened their home when our guests needed a place to sleep. Another week, children’s clothing arrived. Another week, unexpected help showed up when it was needed most. The small stories are endless.

All of this just because fresh yummy bread goes out consistently – with no strings attached. That’s all that really happened. 

Kindness now moves back and forth the way it does when it’s real: without announcements, without keeping score, without any agendas.

People don’t live next to ideas. They live next to people.

Long before anyone asks what you believe, they already know whether life feels easier around you. Kinder. More decent. More human.

They know whether generosity shows up naturally, or only when it’s requested. Almost anyone can be kind once, or when there’s a need.

What changes the environment is when kindness happens often enough that it stops feeling like an act that someone did and starts feeling like the way things are.

They didn’t thank us for what we believed. They didn’t thank us for our faith. They didn’t even really thank us for the bread either. They thanked us for what the neighbourhood feels like. 

That’s why this handwritten note is so special. Not because it notices an act we had done, but because it describes the laughter and yumminess that the neighbourhood is starting to feel. And what one neighbourhood feels like is what a city – and a world – will become. 

Kindness will change the world when it grows from being a random act and starts becoming a matter of fact. 

Rabbi Shmuly Hecht is co-director of the Okanagan Chabad Centre with his wife, Fraidy Hecht.

Community milestones … February 2026

photo - Rabbi Schneur and Bina Druk and family
Rabbi Schneur and Bina Druk and family (photo from Chabad of Whistler)

Rabbi Schneur and Bina Druk and their two children have recently made Whistler their home.

Rabbi Druk was ordained at the central Chabad-Lubavitch rabbinical seminary in Brooklyn and has served Jewish communities across North America and around the world, leading Shabbat services, holiday programs and outreach initiatives in a wide range of settings. His approach is guided by listening to the unique needs of each community and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Bina Druk, a Toronto native, has extensive experience in Jewish education and community engagement, having taught in Jewish schools and held leadership roles at Chabad centres in Toronto and New York. 

The Druks are excited to serve Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky corridor and to help ensure that every Jew, resident or visitor, has a place to connect with Jewish tradition, learning and community.

* * *

The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia has appointed Eli Klasner as its new executive director.

photo - Eli Klasner
Eli Klasner (photo from JMABC)

Klasner brings decades of leadership experience in arts, culture and community development, most recently in Prince George and north central British Columbia, where he played a key role in strengthening cultural infrastructure and fostering inclusive creative communities. His work there included the development of new arts facilities, as well as the revitalization of civic venues.

In addition to his work in the arts, Klasner was instrumental in organizing and supporting the Jewish community in north central British Columbia,

As executive director, Klasner will lead JMABC’s strategic direction, oversee development, public programming and archival initiatives, and work closely with partners across the Jewish and cultural sectors in the province.

“I am incredibly honoured to be joining the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC,” said Klasner. “JMABC plays a vital role in preserving and sharing Jewish history and lived experience in this province. I am excited to … help expand the organization’s work and capacity over the coming years, and to be collaborating with the many Jewish organizations in BC that make this province so rich and dynamic.”

* * *

The Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! production of Law Law Land has won a BroadwayWorld Regional Award for best theatre for young audiences production. The musical theatre summer program based at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver was runner up for the award for best ensemble.

The awards honoured regional productions, touring and other shows that had their first performance between Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. Law Law Land, written by Perry Ehrlich and David Hudgins, was the show that last summer’s Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! participants worked towards and performed at the end of their respective sessions.

The 2026 Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! program runs July 7-30 and Aug. 4-27. For an audition, apply online at jccgv.com or gottasinggottadance.ca by April 1.

Cherished tradition ensured … Silber Family Agam Menorah

Chabad Lubavitch of British Columbia has received a transformative endowment ensuring that the tradition of lighting the Silber Family Agam Menorah at the Vancouver Art Gallery will continue in perpetuity.

The endowment was introduced last year at Legacy of Light, Chabad’s 50th anniversary gala, honouring Rabbi Yitzchak and Henia Wineberg for five decades of leadership. At the event, Arnold Silber, Chabad of BC’s first-ever donor, announced the landmark gift on behalf of his family: Arnold and Anita Silber, Herb and Barbara Silber, and Lori and Wayne Balshin, representing the Harry and Jeannette Greenhut Family Foundation.

More than 40 years ago, the late Fred Silber, father of Arnold and Herb, grandfather of Lori and Wayne, commissioned the 32-foot menorah designed by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.

“From the very beginning, we believed in Chabad’s vision for Jewish life in British Columbia,” said Arnold Silber. “With this investment, we’re ensuring that the light we kindled together continues to shine brightly for generations.”

“The annual menorah lighting has become a cherished tradition for Jewish families and the city at large,” said Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of BC. “This extraordinary generosity guarantees that this beacon of unity, joy and Jewish pride will continue to illuminate Vancouver every Hanukkah.”

– Courtesy Chabad Lubavitch of BC.

Beacon of light in heart of city

The lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah in the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza is an annual tradition. This year, the first candle will be lit on Dec. 14. (photo from Lubavitch BC)

The lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah in the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza is an annual tradition. This year, the first candle will be lit on Dec. 14.

As the first night of Hanukkah approaches, the Vancouver Art  Gallery Plaza will once again welcome the annual lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah. Rising at the corner of Georgia and Hornby streets, this work of public art has become an enduring symbol of Jewish pride, resilience and unity for more than three decades.

photo - Silber Family Agam Menorah
(photo from Lubavitch BC)

Designed and built in 1991 by internationally renowned Israeli artist and sculptor Yaacov Agam, the menorah was commissioned by Fred Silber and the Silber family for Chabad Lubavitch of British Columbia. More than a sculpture, it was envisioned as a joyful and unapologetic statement of Jewish presence in the centre of downtown Vancouver. Since its debut, the menorah has returned each year with ceremony and celebration, illuminating the city skyline with its vibrancy and timeless message: that even in the darkest seasons, the light of Jewish identity continues to shine.

What began as a family’s dedication has grown into one of the largest annual Jewish gatherings in the province. Each year, hundreds of community members, friends, supporters and neighbours bundle up and fill the plaza for the first lighting of Hanukkah. Children clutch chocolate gelt and jelly donuts, elders share stories of holidays past, and young families, students and professionals gather to feel connected and uplifted.

Distinguished guests from across the civic and political landscape will join the festivities Dec. 14, reflecting the wide recognition the Agam Menorah lighting has earned as a Vancouver tradition. Member of Parliament Wade Grant will attend on behalf of the Canadian government and MP Melissa Lantsman will represent the official opposition. Their presence underscores not only the event’s Jewish significance, but also its role as a valued civic moment celebrating inclusiveness and the strength of community bonds.

“Each candle we kindle is more than a flame – it’s a statement of Jewish pride and a reminder that light, unity and hope will always overcome darkness,” said Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld, director of Chabad Lubavitch BC. “This menorah has become part of Vancouver’s identity, and this celebration brings our entire community together in a beautiful and powerful way.”

The evening will feature traditions that light up the plaza each year: chocolate gelt, donuts, music, dancing, and greetings exchanged among old friends and new faces. 

The message of the Silber Family Agam Menorah is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. In a world often challenged by uncertainty, its light stands as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and the importance of gathering publicly, proudly and joyfully.

As the candles are kindled once more, the entire community is invited to join in this Vancouver tradition. The gathering on Dec. 14 starts at 3:30 p.m. For more about Chabad Lubavitch of British Columbia’s holiday events, lightings and activities, go to lubavitchbc.com.

– Courtesy Lubavitch BC

Combining fun and learning

Campers and staff of this summer’s Camp Gan Israel Kelowna. (photo from Chabad Okanagan)

Camp Gan Israel (CGI) Kelowna campers experienced a summer packed with joy, adventure and Jewish education.

The first week of camp was filled with activities that combined fun with learning about Jewish holidays and traditions. The children baked challah for Shabbat, shaped honey jugs and played at the splash park with the shofar sound for Rosh Hashanah. They created stained glass art for Passover, made edible sukkot (huts) and enjoyed playing “Just 4 Fun” for the holiday of Sukkot. Campers also made candied apples for the High Holidays and dressed up for Purim with a photobooth and kosher hunt, all while receiving education about these special days.

In the second week, campers continued to explore and learn with a variety of activities. They went to Energyplex, enjoyed rock climbing, fruit picking, bowling, science experiments, beading, and visiting the aviation museum. Each activity was paired with lessons about Jewish heroes like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Esther and Moses, allowing the children to connect their experiences to the teachings of Judaism’s greats.

Campers were provided freshly made, nutritious lunches every day, helping them stay energized and ready for all the adventures. The staff did a fantastic job ensuring every child had a safe, memorable, fun and enriching experience, while making new friends along the way.

With more than 20 campers and five staff, this has been the largest Camp Gan Israel Kelowna season yet! One parent shared in a video interview that his daughter told him it was the best camp she had ever attended. Another grandparent expressed regret for not having sent her granddaughter the year prior, as well, only hearing about the camp’s wonderful reputation afterward. 

To keep the Camp Gan Israel spirit alive throughout the year, there will be JewQ sessions on Mondays, where the children will continue their Jewish learning journey with dinner, study and fun. For more information on this and other camp and Chabad Okanagan activities and events, visit jewishokanagan.com. 

– Courtesy Chabad Okanagan

Tri-Cities community grows

Co-directors of Chabad of the Tri-Cities Rabbi Mottel and Nechama Gurevitz with their children. (photo from Tri-Cities Chabad)

Since he arrived just under two years ago, Rabbi Mordechai (Mottel) Gurevitz has had a very active and wide-ranging schedule. He’s been organizing programs and events and, most importantly, building community in the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody). 

Gurevitz, co-director of Chabad of the Tri-Cities, gave the Independent a few examples of the growth he has witnessed. This year’s Passover seder brought in nearly 50% more attendees compared to 2023. There was a similar increase in attendance for a Ten Commandments reading and ice cream in the park gathering during Shavuot. 

For Lag b’Omer on May 26, the largest Jewish event in Tri-Cities history was held at Rocky Point Park. Hundreds of people came out in the rain for a day filled with music, featuring Vancouver band Tzimmes, dancing, art, a marketplace, a magic show, bouncy castles and, of course, mouthwatering food.

Gurevitz, a Brooklyn native, arrived in the Tri-Cities in November 2022 with his wife, Nechama, who hails from Portland, Ore. In a recent interview, he told the Independent that he adores the region and is very happy and amazed to see the interest in the Jewish community for Jewish activities – and, he added, he regularly has to replenish his supply of mezuzot.

“We feel grateful for where we live,” he said. “It is such a beautiful, growing community. Geographically, it is a beautiful place with beautiful people. I feel privileged to be in this position to lead. It is not something I take lightly. I am really happy that we are here.”

The goal of Chabad of the Tri-Cities programming is to raise the Jewish profile and increase the sense of Jewish community in the area, Gurevitz explained. He gets the most joy, he said, when he hears from community members about connections they have made through his efforts, such as two sets of parents arranging a play date for their children after meeting at a Chabad event.

“One of the challenges of the Tri-Cities is that it is geographically spread out. Organically, there is a challenge for a community to grow because people are all over. What we are finding is that, by creating infrastructure, it is blossoming,” he said.

The region’s population comprises people of all ages, and many young families. As a result, there are programs to meet the needs of various demographics, from teen activities to special groups for men and women, in addition to a Hebrew school, weekly Torah classes and Kabbalat Shabbat meals. The programs have been well received, Gurevitz said, and have created a space for people to come together.

“All of these are cogs in the machinery. Each of them is important on its own, but, in the greater picture, what is emerging is a vibrant Jewish community. Jews are hanging out with other Jewish people. There is a place to celebrate our traditions, connect and meet new friends,” Gurevitz said.

On March 10, Tri-Cities Chabad celebrated the milestone of completing a sefer Torah. Along the way, there was great excitement, as members of the community dedicated letters and chapters for the new scroll.

photo - Rabbi Mottel Gurevitz writes the final letter of the Chabad of Tri-Cities community Torah
Rabbi Mottel Gurevitz writes the final letter of the Chabad of Tri-Cities community Torah. (photo from Tri-Cities Chabad)

“There is something very unifying about a community writing a Torah,” Gurevitz said. “The energy in the room that day was something so special, with the joy and the celebration and people of all ages kissing the Torah. That was a real monumental event this year.”

Gurevitz, who also teaches at Vancouver Hebrew Academy, jokes that he has two full-time jobs. A typical day might have him teaching in Vancouver in the morning and returning to the Tri-Cities in the early afternoon to have meetings, run programs, prepare for events and reach out to people.

“As a rabbi, I believe our first priority is our fellow Jews’ physical well-being, then we can care for their spiritual well-being. I am being there for people, helping however we can. The part I like most is meeting people and making those connections,” he said.

On July 2, at 7 p.m., Chabad of the Tri-Cities will put together an event to mark the 30th yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Titled An Evening of Inspiration, the event will feature Rabbi Meir Kaplan, leader of Chabad of Vancouver Island. 

“Our very existence in the Tri-Cities, a boy from Brooklyn walking around looking like a rabbi in Coquitlam, is to the Rebbe’s credit. We are gathering to pay tribute to the Rebbe. What was unique about him is that he made leaders and empowered individuals,” said Gurevitz, pointing to the 5,000 Chabad centres currently operating in more than 100 countries. “We will reflect on how the Rebbe’s legacy could inspire us to live a more meaningful and purposeful life.”

For more information, visit jewishtricities.com. 

Sam Margolis has written for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, UPI and MSNBC.

The joys of making matzah

Left to right: Joanne Belzberg, Henia Wineberg, Rabbi Yitzchok Wineberg, Arnold Silber, Tammi Kerzner and Syd Belzberg. (photo by Yaletown Photography)

For more than three decades, the Model Matzah Bakery, organized by Chabad Lubavitch in British Columbia, has offered a unique and interactive Passover experience for thousands of participants. What started in the early 1990s has blossomed into an event anticipated by children, high school students, adults and seniors alike.

The hands-on program immerses participants in the ancient tradition of making matzah, a significant element of the Jewish holiday of Passover. From separating wheat kernels to baking the final product, attendees go through each step of the process, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural, spiritual and historical significance behind this unleavened bread.

One of the highlights of the Model Matzah Bakery is its emphasis on participation. Everyone is invited to roll up their sleeves and get involved in every aspect of the process. We begin by separating wheat kernels from the chaff, a task that connects us with the agricultural roots of this ancient practice. Next, we grind the kernels into flour, followed by meticulous sifting to ensure the purity of the ingredients. As the flour mixes with water, laughter and excitement transform the process into a joyful communal experience. With expert guidance from volunteers, participants roll out the dough, making sure to create holes to prevent leavening. And all of this must be completed within a strict time limit of 18 minutes, after which the dough may begin rising, which will create chametz, leaven, which is not permitted during Passover.

This year, the Matzah Bakery got an upgrade as it partnered with Stable Harvest Farms. Not only did participants get to make matzah for Passover using locally grown, organic wheat, Stable Harvest Farms is also offering the chance for children to experience the process from farm to seder table – literally. Two family days will be hosted at the farm, where families will plant and then harvest their own wheat, which they will then use to create matzah for next Passover. Save the dates: May 12, a special Mother’s Day celebration, where the wheat will be planted, and Sept. 8, a pre-Rosh Hashanah experience, including harvesting the wheat and setting aside for Passover 2025/5785.

“Chabad is known for their innovative approach to Jewish education,” said one educator from a local Jewish day school. “This kind of hands-on, start-to-finish project will guarantee that the children remember the joy and excitement of the holiday for years to come.”

While initially designed for children, the Model Matzah Bakery has evolved to welcome participants of all ages. High school students and educators find themselves drawn to the program as an engaging way to learn about Jewish traditions, while adults and seniors appreciate the opportunity to celebrate their cultural heritage. This year, for the first time, children with special needs had their own opportunity to visit the bakery.

“It’s not just about making matzah; it’s about connecting with our heritage in a tangible way,” said Rachel Cohen, a long-time attendee of the Model Matzah Bakery. “The experience of being part of something so ancient yet so relevant to our lives today was truly special.”

Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld, director of Lubavitch BC, which organizes this project, emphasized the importance of preserving and passing on these traditions to future generations. “Our goal isn’t just to teach about matzah making, but to create lasting memories and connections to our shared history through positive Jewish experiences,” he explained. “When participants left here, they took with them not just matzah, but a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage.” 

– Courtesy Chabad Lubavitch BC

A heartwarming gathering

Aug. 29-30, 17 families – each serving as Chabad shluchim (emissaries) – came together for an event known as a Kinus Hakhel. (photo from Chabad Lubavitch BC)

In a display of unity and camaraderie, 17 families – each serving the Jewish population across British Columbia as Chabad shluchim (emissaries) – came together Aug. 29 and 30 (12 and 13 of Elul) for an event known as a Kinus Hakhel. It was a celebration of shared purpose and a recommitment to serving the community.

Representatives from Chabad in Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, the University of British Columbia, Downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano and Kelowna joined the central Chabad Lubavitch BC in this heartwarming event. The theme of “sheves achim gam yachad” (“dwelling together in unity”) permeated the atmosphere with feelings of support for one another. It served as a reminder of the strength that arises from collaboration and left a mark on all those present.

Chabad today is the largest Jewish organization in British Columbia, with a presence in 10 cities across the province, 11 synagogues, 17 permanent rabbis and rebbetzins, three mikvahs, eight supplementary Hebrew schools, four Camp Gan Israel summer camps, dozens of weekly Torah classes, private counseling and social services.

Rabbi Yitzchok Wineberg, the head shaliach of British Columbia, reflected on the past 50 years of Chabad’s presence here. He congratulated all the shluchim for their dedication and hard work, acknowledging the efforts they have invested in reaching out to every Jew, no matter their affiliation or background, and establishing communities all over the province.

Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock, av beis din (the rabbi presiding over the religious court), director of BCK and one of the senior shluchim in British Columbia, took the opportunity to encourage the establishment of a vaad hapo’el, a permanent action committee, to take the inspiration from the Kinus and use it as a positive force for expansion.

The Kinus also featured an all-night farbrengen (spiritual gathering) led by Rabbi Sholom B. Levitin, regional director of Chabad-Lubavitch in the Pacific Northwest, lasting from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., where participants engaged in discussions and spiritual connection.

In the spirit of this Hakhel year (an assembly that takes place every seven years), with the call of uniting men, women and children, a children’s program ran throughout the entire two days with more than 60 young shluchim participating. A special thanks goes to Tamara Feigelstock, who ensured that the youngest members of the shluchim had an enriching experience.

The Kinus wrapped up with a banquet. Featured speakers were Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman (Chabad Richmond) and Rabbi Shmuly Hecht (Chabad of the Okanagan Valley), plus a special Zoom address by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice-chair of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad Lubavitch worldwide.

An unexpected, moving moment came at the banquet when Arnold Silber, Chabad’s first friend and supporter in British Columbia, took the stage. With emotion, he shared his deep connection to Chabad and to the Jewish community. He announced, “Don’t worry about paying for this gathering; I will cover the entire bill.” His generosity underscored the sense of unity and support that defined the event.

Silber also reflected on the past 50 years and expressed pride on his association with Chabad. He spoke metaphorically about how he had planted a tree a half-century ago and now sees a thriving forest. The growth and impact of Chabad in British Columbia fills him with joy and nachas (pride), he said. He pledged to continue and expand his support and partnership with Chabad’s “army of light and kindness” in the province. And he shared his vision of building an even stronger, more vibrant Jewish community in the future.

The Kinus Hakhel took place thanks to the dedicated efforts of Rabbi Dovid and Chaya Rosenfeld, co-directors of the central Chabad in BC, and the various planning committees. For the men’s program, that was Rabbi Meir Kaplan (Chabad of Vancouver Island), Rabbi Benzi Shemtov (Chabad of Nanaimo) and Rabbi Mottel Gurevitz (Chabad of Coquitlam). For the women’s events, Blumie Shemtov (Chabad of Nanaimo) and Rivki Yeshayahu (Kitsilano) coordinated the program, and the youth program was planned by Esti Loeub (Chabad of UBC) and Rivky Varnai (Richmond). Special thanks to Henia Wineberg (Lubavitch BC) and Chanie Baitelman (Chabad Richmond) for the beautiful setup.

As the shluchim of British Columbia left the gathering, they carried with them not only a renewed sense of unity but also a strengthened commitment to their shared mission. This gathering in Vancouver wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of community, purpose and the enduring spirit of Chabad.

– Courtesy Chabad Lubavitch BC

Six weeks of fun

More than 200 kids went to Camp Gan Israel this summer. (photo from Camp Gan Israel)

More than 200 children attended Camp Gan Israel this summer. They had a varied schedule, with baking, crafts, skateboarding, swimming, sports and field trips to such places as Stable Harvest Farm, Wild Play Adventure Park, Playland, Science World and Sasamat Lake. A special highlight was the camp’s theme song and dance, which was picked up by almost 400 Camp Gan Israel’s around the globe.

“Camp shows children that Judaism is fun, joyful and alive,” said camp director Chaya Rosenfeld. “The staff set an amazing example of being proud and enthusiastic about their Judaism and there is no substitute for a camp experience.”

Seventeen staff members were flown in from California, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, New York, Montreal and Toronto.

Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld of Lubavitch BC added, “The cost-of-living crisis is really hitting families hard. Almost 90% of the campers received a discount to attend camp, with a percentage receiving a full scholarship. No one is turned away for financial reasons and we are really grateful to our supporters for giving the children the opportunity to experience the summer of a lifetime.”

– Courtesy Camp Gan Israel

UBC Chabad celebrates 10th

Rabbi Chalom Loeub and student Sagiv Fadida put on tefillin at the weekly Chabad booth at the UBC campus. (photo from Chabad at UBC)

This year marks a milestone, as the Chabad Jewish Student Centre at the University of British Columbia (UBC) celebrates its 10th anniversary. As part of the global Chabad on Campus movement, UBC Chabad has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing a warm and welcoming home for every Jewish student, regardless of their educational or religious background. UBC Chabad offers opportunities to build meaningful relationships with other Jewish students, deepen their connection and sense of belonging to their Jewish heritage, and strengthen their Jewish pride.

Rooted in the mystical traditions of the Hasidic revival of the late 18th century, Chabad-Lubavitch continues to try and make Judaism accessible and personally relevant to Jews worldwide. The teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also known as the Rebbe, emphasize the importance of caring for the spiritual and material needs of all Jews, from Vancouver to Berlin to India and beyond. Inspired by his philosophy, Chabad emissaries, or shluchim, have established thousands of Chabad Houses, providing all Jews a home away from home.

photo - Chabad on Campus students from Western Washington University, University of Washington and University of British Columbia at an annual U.S.-Canada get-together
Chabad on Campus students from Western Washington University, University of Washington and University of British Columbia at an annual U.S.-Canada get-together. (photo from Chabad at UBC)

Over the past decade, Rabbi Chalom and Esti Loeub, the shluchim at UBC Chabad, along with their five children, have supported Jewish students’ physical and spiritual needs. They have hosted many fun and meaningful events, including weekly Shabbat dinners, Lunch & Learns, interactive tabling, and Grill the Rabbi barbeques. They have led holiday programs with lavish kosher meals, hosted a monthly Jewish Women’s Circle, and led educational initiatives such as the study of the Tanya (Chabad’s foundational book), Sinai Scholars (an eight-week series on the introduction to Judaism) and a course on the Six Day War (in partnership with the Jewish Learning Institute).

photo - One of the many weekly Lunch & Learn sessions that take place at the UBC campus
One of the many weekly Lunch & Learn sessions that take place at the UBC campus. (photo from Chabad at UBC)

However, the true measure of their impact lies in their ability to help Jewish students connect with their Jewish identity by performing mitzvot (good deeds). By encouraging students to give tzedakah (charity), wrap tefillin(phylacteries, or black leather boxes containing parchment from the Torah), light Shabbat candles, affix mezuzot (small pieces of parchment with a verse from the Torah rolled in a container) on their doorposts, and keep kosher, UBC Chabad has made a difference in the lives of countless Jewish students on campus.

“When I first came to university, I felt a distance between myself and the Jewish community,” said Gabby Tselos, president of UBC Chabad on Campus. “I always had my family and synagogue at home, but I felt like I was missing a piece of me when I came to UBC. Thankfully, in my second year, I became involved in Chabad and that has changed my whole college experience. Not only do I feel I have a Jewish family at UBC, but one that will remain with me as I continue to explore the world and my future.”

photo - A recent BBQ hosted by Chabad at UBC
A recent BBQ hosted by Chabad at UBC. (photo from Chabad at UBC)

Baruch Eckermann, outreach chair of UBC Chabad on Campus, also spoke about the positive impact Chabad has had on him.

“Chabad at UBC has helped awaken the Jew that was dormant inside my heart,” he said. “Without the love and care I received from Rabbi Chalom and Esti Loeub, I would not have become the Jewish man I am today. They work so dedicatedly for the students on campus, going far and beyond, not only in relation to religious needs, but in personal matters. They care about every Jew so much, it is beautiful to watch. All I can say to them is thank you. And please keep on doing your amazing work. We need you!”

To me, Rabbi Chalom and Rebbetzin Esti are like family. Whether on campus or at their Chabad house, they always put Jewish students’ needs first. What I love is that they genuinely see the inherent goodness in every Jewish student and believe that, by encouraging students to do more good deeds, the students will bring more blessings into the world.

For more information or to connect with the Chabad Jewish Student Centre at UBC, follow them on Instagram (@chabadubc) or visit their website, chabadubc.com.

Eitan Feiger is a student at the University of British Columbia, Class of 2024. He is vice-president and treasurer of UBC Chabad on Campus.