Chaim Bruk, 25, and his wife, Chavie, 22, are members of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Hasidism founded in Russia in the 1700s. Its followers are Orthodox Jews.
The Bruks, with seed money from Jewish philanthropy group the Rohr Family Foundation in Florida, intend to set up a base in Bozeman.
“We're really a statewide organization based out of Bozeman,” Bruk said Monday in a phone interview from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. “Our primary focus will be adult education.”
Bozeman getting full-time Rabbi
Bozeman, Montana — A Jewish rabbi is moving here to serve Orthodox Jewish families in Montana.
Chaim Bruk, 25, and his wife, Chavie, 22, are members of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Hasidism founded in Russia in the 1700s. Its followers are Orthodox Jews.
The Bruks, with seed money from Jewish philanthropy group the Rohr Family Foundation in Florida, intend to set up a base in Bozeman.
“We’re really a statewide organization based out of Bozeman,” Bruk said Monday in a phone interview from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. “Our primary focus will be adult education.”
Classes will cover the religion, its customs and culture, along with the modern Jewish perspective on science, world events to the Torah, Bruk said.
He will concentrate first on Bozeman, Billings and Helena and said he plans to use hotel conference rooms, libraries or other gathering places rather than establishing a permanent Chabad center.
Bruk said he won’t offer Orthodox worship services until there is a demand.
The Chabad-Lubavitch effort is not connected with Bozeman’s Congregation Beth Shalom, which is headed by Rabbi Allen Secher, who lives in Whitefish and comes to Bozeman for 10 days each month.
“We’re not looking to compete,” Bruk said. “We’re looking to enhance Jewish life.”
Chabad-Lubavitch, which has followers around the world, is “considerably more Orthodox than I think are most (of) the congregations in the state,” said Aaron Weissman of Great Falls, president of the Montana Association of Jewish Communities.
Although many Montana Jews might not be used to the Orthodox life Bruk embraces, there are some Jewish individuals here who are very traditional, said Secher, whose congregation numbers about 90.
“I don’t see Chaim as competition,” he said. “I see him as filling a void for those who need him.”
tzemach
Head Shliach Chaim Shaul Brook.
You made it!!
Chanie and Dov Yaffe
We’re so excited for you, Chavie and Chaim Shaul! We hope you really enjoy your work in Montana!
kklein@mikvah.org
CHAZAK, CHAZAK!!!
Bored on Empire
What about the story that both parents of the couple were on shllichus in montana and how hashgocah protis they are going there
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow i didnt know there were jews in montana
EZ
nice.. btw, happy anniversary
Camp Tzivos Hashem
We hope to see you this summer!!!
cousins on carroll
Hatlocha rabo! We’re very proud to be your family. (how many guest rooms do you have?!?!
shliach to another orthadox community
thank g-d there is someone who can now serve the orthadox community in montana ;)