Rabbi Yisroel Bernath in front of Chabad-NDG, housed in a former church.

Montreal Borough Debate over Chabad Turns Ugly

Montreal’s Côte des Neiges-Notre Dame de Grâce borough councillor Jeremy Searle accused a Chabad rabbi of invoking anti-Semitism and trying to instil “Jewish guilt” in opponents of a proposed housing project on the site of the former St. Columba Church.

The April 4 borough meeting turned ugly after Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, director of Rohr Chabad of NDG, which occupies the hall adjacent to the main church building on Hingston Avenue, said the users of the centre have been the targets of “harassment, demonization and bigotry.”

Searle said the opponents have “put forward arguments, whether valid or not” as to why they are against the project that would have seen the main building demolished and seven townhouses built, while maintaining the hall.

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One Comment

  • Read the entire article

    While I feel bad for the shluchim who are doing an amazing job in the area, if you read the article the developers are not following the zoning laws of the area. This is a beautiful, old neighborhood and perhaps an appropriately designed building would get approval…Hatzlacha to Rabbi and Mrs. Bernath, I hope you get approval and finally get the Chabad house you deserve.