Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world by area. Located in North America and bordering the United States, Canada currently has 41 million residents, including approximately half a million Jews. Canada is a federation of ten smaller provinces and three territories. The capital city is Ottawa, and Canada (along with 14 other countries) is headed by a queen (the Queen of England), making it the largest country by area among them.

History

Canada was discovered like the rest of America by maritime explorers, and settlements were established by the French. Eventually, the French gave rights to the British over the territory, and in 1867 the British granted Canada independence after several years as part of the British Empire. The territory given to Canada was smaller than present-day Canada, and gradually neighboring provinces joined the Canadian federation. In 1949, the union was completed and Canada became a federation of ten smaller provinces and three territories.

During World War II, Canada was part of the Allied Powers, and after the war encouraged immigration to increase its population, opening many businesses for immigrants, including many Jews.

Canada is one of the most developed and strongest countries in the world. Additionally, it is a country that advocates for complete equality and has been a great supporter of Jews throughout the years, fighting antisemitism throughout its existence. Its presidents over the years have been supporters of Israel and the Jews.

Jewish Life in Canada

Currently, most Jews in Canada live primarily in Montreal and Toronto, numbering half a million people. Unlike other Jewish communities worldwide, the Jewish connection among the continent's residents is considered exceptionally strong, with many receiving education in Jewish institutions and only a small percentage intermarrying.

Canada has large concentrations of Charedi Jews. Thousands of families live in Montreal and Toronto, most belonging to the Litvish stream and many Chassidic groups, including: Belz Chassidim, Satmar Chassidim, Vizhnitz Chassidim, and Bobov Chassidim. Some communities have their own kashrus organizations and shechita systems.

Chabad in Canada

Chabad Chassidim's immigration to Canada began after a ship headed for New York accidentally reached Canadian shores. At the community's request, the Frierdiker Rebbe decided to approach the Canadian government to grant visas to Tomchei Tmimim Shanghai students. The Canadian government agreed, and out of eighty visas distributed to all yeshiva students in Shanghai at the time, the yeshiva received nine visas. On 2 Cheshvan 5702, nine tmimim who received visas were sent: Yosef Rodal, Aryeh Leib Kramer, Yosef Menachem Mendel Tenenbaum, Menachem Zev Greenglass, Moshe Eliyahu Gerlitzky, Yitzchak Hendel, Yosef Weinberg, Yosef Tzvi Kotlarsky, and Shmuel Stein - from Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Shanghai, with the goal of strengthening the community and establishing Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim.

They traveled by ship from Shanghai to San Francisco, California, and from there by bus to Montreal.

Chabad Activities in Canada

Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Montreal was founded by the Frierdiker Rebbe on 3 Cheshvan 5702 (1941).

In 5764 (2004), Yeshivas Ohr Menachem was established in Neperville.

Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Canada

Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Canada coordinates the activities of Chabad Chassidus and hafatzas hamaayanos in Canada. The organization was established by Rabbi Sholom Dovber Mochkin and Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Yehuda Feigelstock in 5714 (1954), under the direct shlichus of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach.

The organization's headquarters is in Montreal, with branches throughout Canada. The organization is currently headed by the Head Shliach, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Mochkin.

In 5719 (1959), the organization's leaders Rabbi Sholom Dovber Mochkin and Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Yehuda Feigelstock established Camp Gan Israel in Montreal.

The representative of Canada to the Chassidic UN is Rabbi Yitzchak Hendel.

Shluchim in Canada

• Rabbi Chaim Shneur Zalman Itkin
• Rabbi Avraham Altein
• Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Ashkenazi
• Rabbi Zalman Aharon Grossbaum
• Rabbi Eliezer Lipman Dubrawsky (Canada)
• Rabbi Binyamin Ephraim Bitton
• Rabbi Yitzchak Weinberg
• Rabbi Yoel Zusha Silberstein
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Zaltsman
• Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu
• Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen
• Rabbi Yisroel Landa
• Rabbi Menachem Mendel Matusov
• Rabbi Moshe New
• Rabbi Moshe Chaim Sapochkinsky
• Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock
• Rabbi Simcha Tzirkind
• Rabbi Menachem Mendel Raskin (Montreal)
• Rabbi Yaakov Emanuel Schochet
• Rabbi Yosef Gansburg Toronto

Chabad Institutions in Canada

• Tomchei Tmimim Montreal
• Yeshivas Ohr Menachem Neperville
• Yeshivas Lubavitch Toronto
• Beis Rivka Seminary, Montreal
• Tzivos Hashem Canada. Director - Rabbi Yona Wilenkin

Chabad Houses in Canada

• Beis Chabad Montreal
• Beis Chabad Toronto
• Beis Chabad Ottawa