by Menachem Posner - Chabad.edu

Shluchim Join Canada’s Prime Minister on Israel Visit

As Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarked on his first official visit to Israel and the Middle East, he was joined by Chabad representatives from five Canadian provinces.

“We are deeply honored that the Prime Minister invited us to accompany him on this historic visit,” says Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn, the Ottawa-based director of public affairs for the Canadian Federation of Chabad-Lubavitch. “Since taking office in 2006, Mr. Harper has earned a reputation as a loyal friend of the Jewish people and a staunch supporter of Israel.”

“I look forward to visiting the Middle East to explore ways of strengthening peace and security, stimulating sustainable economic growth, and promoting essential Canadian values, such as tolerance and human rights, across the region.” said the Prime Minister.

The Chabad Lubavitch contingent is part of the 150-to-200-member delegation from across the Canadian Jewish community that has been invited to join Mr. Harper on his four-day tour.

In addition to Mendelsohn, the Chabad rabbinic delegation includes Rabbi Zalman A. Grossbaum, Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman, and Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman from Toronto, Ontario; Rabbi Berel Mockin and Rabbi Yitzchok Gniwisch from Montreal, Quebec; Rabbi Yitzchok Wineberg from Vancouver, British Columbia; Rabbi Shmuel Altein from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Rabbi Menachem M. Matusof from Calgary, Alberta; and Rabbi Mendel Feldman from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

10 Comments

  • RABBI ZALTSMAN

    RABBI ZALTSMAN you are the best.
    Keep up the good work. Don’t be quiet. Tell Bibi he should not even talk about giving back land or Chas Veshohlom ……

  • Alter chasid

    If I’m not mistaken the shliach in the background is rav Yosef Hecht from aurora. He is. Brother in law of rabbi Kaplan and SIL of rav Grossbaum

  • Where is Rabbi Itchie Grossbaum

    The co-head shaliach Rabbi Itchie Grossbaum should have been there! He is running Chabad of Ontario, the largest Chabad community in Canada! It would have been VERY important for him to be with PM Harper. Why was he not there? Instead of SIL’s of Rabbi ZA Grossbaun – his son should be there!

  • to #7

    excuse me?! rabbi za grossbaum is head shliach not
    his son the rebbe sent rabbi za as head not his son

    • Revisionist

      Can you confirm that “the rebbe sent rabbi za as head”? I once heard that the ONLY person the Rebbe sent to Toronto was the Rov, everyone else was hired by a Va’ad, If someone knows the historic facts, please confirm!

    • Reb Mendel Aranow

      Reb Mendel Aranow of Toronto said that he has a letter the Rebbe sent to him in 1956. The Rebbe writes in the letter that he is personally sending a shaliach to Toronto, a Goan and a Rov for the Chabad community of the city, Harav Hagaon Dovid Shoichet..