Chabad of Mississauga Honors Builder

As a developer, he constructed more than 5,000 acres of residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. But earlier this month, Larry Robbins was celebrated for his philanthropy.

At a gala held at the Embassy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton, Chabad Mississauga celebrated the inauguration of the Larry and Miriam Robbins Educational Institute that the builder established with an endowment of more than $1 million. The fund’s annual income will subsidize Chabad’s educational programs in Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville and Milton.

Robbins was the Erin Mills Development Corporation’s principal partner.

“Chabad is deeply dedicated to Jewish education for young and old,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin. “Our lecture series, classes and holiday workshops allow people of all backgrounds to explore Jewish wisdom and its value system.”

Chabad Mississauga provides crisis intervention, youth counselling, hospital visitations and food drives as well as educational initiatives for youth and adults. Those initiatives include a Jewish summer camp, Hebrew school and a Judaic studies program.

The gala, which doubled as a 10th anniversary celebration for Chabad Mississauga, attracted more than 500 people.

Meanwhile, gala attendees also paid tribute to the memories of Morris and Anne Turk. It was a gift from their estate in 2005 that helped found the Chabad Jewish Discovery Centre on Dundas St. in Mississauga.