Winnipeg’s Jewish Community is proud to welcome a new couple, Rabbi Menachem & Devora Altein. Together, they are opening a new division of Chabad in Winnipeg, that will work with the growing number of Israelis and Hebrew speakers that now comprise a significant component of our community.
Rabbi Menachem is the youngest son of Rabbi Avrohom Altein, Winnipeg’s senior rabbi who is the head director of Chabad here since 1972. As a young student, Rabbi Menachem studied in Oholei Torah, Chabad’s local day school. From there he went on to study in high-level academies in the United States and Israel, where he excelled and was ordained. Devora was born and raised in Tel Aviv, where her parents direct Chabad’s prestigious network of institutions. She is an excellent educator and has taught and also mentored teachers in both Israel and the United States.
Interestingly, Devora has roots in Canada; her illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Elye Gerlitzky was one of the founders and directors of Chabad’s Yeshiva in Montreal. Rabbi Moshe Elye was in Winnipeg in the 1950’s, developing ties to Winnipeg’s Jewish Community.
Chabad has made great strides in recent years in providing the spiritual and social needs of Israeli-Winnipeggers. Many hundreds of these families are involved in Chabad Holiday programs, summer camp, youth clubs and the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Clubs. To many that are not affiliated with the established Jewish organizations, the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of Chabad is where they feel most comfortable.
The Israeli-Canadian community has now grown rapidly and so have their spiritual needs. We are answering that need by establishing a dedicated Chabad department to connect with these precious families. Both Devora and Menachem speak Hebrew and have experience in relating to both the religious and secular Jews of Tel Aviv.
Much of the inspiration and support for this huge undertaking comes from Chabad’s dear friends Larry and Tova Vickar. They and their friends had a great part in conceiving this idea and are partners in its development.
Though the current Covid-19 imposes restrictions on social programming, Rabbi Menachem and Devora will lay the groundwork for what promises to be a bright and beautiful development for Winnipeg’s Jewish Community.
For any questions or information about the new program, Rabbi Menachem and Devora can be contacted by email at [email protected] or [email protected], and by telephone at (204) 339 8737, ext.# 203
