About the Chabad Jewish Learning Centre
Chabad Lubavitch
Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg started over 35 years ago. The goal of the Centre is to bring to the Jewish community in Winnipeg a philosophy that has a 250 year history. Warmth and openness to all Jews is characteristic of the Winnipeg centre.
The centre has a direct impact on the lives of the majority of the Jewish community through programs at the Lubavitch Centre, 2095 Sinclair St. and the Chabad Torah Centre, 1825 Grant Ave. as well as outreach programs in the community. It is important for the Jewish community to understand its cultural roots and what it means to be Jewish. The role of Chabad Lubavitch is to ensure those cultural roots remain alive not only in the present generation but in generations to come
The uniqueness of this movement is that it is not trying to create memories in people, but instead a living experience of being Jewish. The Lubavitch Centre touches people at various points in their life as they explore their Jewish roots. The Centre’s leadership understands and accepts them with whatever understanding they have of what it means to be Jewish
The centre involves teenagers through the Tefillin Club at the Gray Academy and the University of Winnipeg. Mitzvah workshops bring new insights and meaning to high holidays. The entire Jewish community benefits from a variety of public lectures. These and countless other programs touch Jewish population throughout Winnipeg.
We realize that the strength of the Jewish community rests in its identity. The Lubavitch Centre holds the key to maintaining and enhancing Jewish life in Winnipeg. It is our responsibility to ensure that an understanding of what it means to be Jewish is rooted in our lives and the lives of our children.
Response to the Need
The centre’s activity has been concentrated at its Sinclair Street facility. In response to an increased demand for programs and a shift of the Jewish community to the southern part of Winnipeg space was rented at 1825 Grant Ave. Both sites are too small to meet current program demands.
Experience informs us there is a desire within the community to search for their roots and understand how they have relevance in their life today. There are between 4,000 – 5,000 children, youth and adults that annually access current programs.
The adults attending the centre often talk about remembering their experiences as youth in the Jewish community. They have fond memories of Shabbat, Chanukah and Purim celebrations. The reality is there needs to be more than nostalgic memories of the Jewish experience. The role of the centre is to provide Jewish people of all ages real life experiences.
The Expansion of the South Location
After over 35 years of providing learning and life
opportunities to the Jewish community, chabad-
lubavitch of winnipeg is now developing a large community
centre located at 1845 mathers avenue. The Jewish
learning centre is scheduled to open in 2010 and will be
a place where Jews can embrace their Judaism.
As the first Yeshiva built between Vancouver and Toronto, it
will allow families that are growing in their Jewish practices
the option of staying in Winnipeg. The Jewish Learning Centre
will also encourage new families to move to Winnipeg.
The 17,000 square foot building will house
the Jewish learning institute (Jli), offer a Yeshiva for adult
education, libraries for both adults and children, a synagogue
and auditorium, school classrooms, camp gan israel
recreational facilities, offices, lounge, kosher kitchens
(including pareve, meat, milk and passover facilities),
a mikvah, large gym and play area, day-care and more.
A campaign to raise $3.9 million for the construction of this spacious new facility is now underway.
Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to
support the Jewish learning centre building fund. Your
donations are needed now.