Thirty years ago this month, when Rabbi Yitzchak and Henia Wineberg arrived in Vancouver, B.C. to establish a Chabad presence, there was little to be said for Jewish growth in Vancouver. Truth be told, says Rabbi Wineberg, there was little to be said for growth in the city at all. A quiet, sleepy city, Vancouver was well known for the hippie types who rambled through and, despite being Canada’s third largest city, seemed remote and unhurried. The Jewish community, a formidable presence in the first half of the century, seemed poised for near-oblivion by the mid 70’s, as the older, more observant members passed on and their children fell prey to rampant assimilation.
But the couple saw the potential in the city, and fell in love with the beautiful mountains that frame it and the Pacific Ocean that runs along the west side. They arrived with one young baby in November 1974 and set about revitalizing the Jewish infrastructure in Vancouver. From various Torah classes and Jewish events grew a synagogue, nursery, summer camp and ultimately a full Jewish center. Hundreds came through in the early years, as Chabad quickly outgrew one rental after another, finally erecting a large building in 1981. A Jewish community formed around the Chabad center, and a large, active network of outreach programs and community services took root.
Celebrating 30 Years in Vancouver
Thirty years ago this month, when Rabbi Yitzchak and Henia Wineberg arrived in Vancouver, B.C. to establish a Chabad presence, there was little to be said for Jewish growth in Vancouver. Truth be told, says Rabbi Wineberg, there was little to be said for growth in the city at all. A quiet, sleepy city, Vancouver was well known for the hippie types who rambled through and, despite being Canada’s third largest city, seemed remote and unhurried. The Jewish community, a formidable presence in the first half of the century, seemed poised for near-oblivion by the mid 70’s, as the older, more observant members passed on and their children fell prey to rampant assimilation.
But the couple saw the potential in the city, and fell in love with the beautiful mountains that frame it and the Pacific Ocean that runs along the west side. They arrived with one young baby in November 1974 and set about revitalizing the Jewish infrastructure in Vancouver. From various Torah classes and Jewish events grew a synagogue, nursery, summer camp and ultimately a full Jewish center. Hundreds came through in the early years, as Chabad quickly outgrew one rental after another, finally erecting a large building in 1981. A Jewish community formed around the Chabad center, and a large, active network of outreach programs and community services took root.
