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A Living Legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson o.b.M.
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WHAT MAKeS A CoMMuniTy?
Is it a neighbourhood or people with common interests? Is it fueled by a yearning to belong or a longing to grow with others? Is it defined by a Rabbi, a prayer schedule or a sway of public opinion? Chabad of york Mills is a community born out of these questions. The answer to this began in the fall of 2007 as a small hub of Jewish life in the living room of Rabbi Levi & Rivky gansburg’s home. Today the answers continue to grow as we build this most beautiful Jewish community for hundreds of Toronto families.
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“The bayview community was always a great place to raise a family. The parks, shopping and neighbourhood were magnificent, but there was something missing and that was a place where every Jew can come and feel part of a greater community. — JeRRy L.
THiS iS ouR CoMMuniTy. THiS iS ouR HoMe. THiS iS ouR ReQueST FoR you To Join
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Home to 300 Jewish Families gARden PReSCHooL Educating toddlers ages 18 months – 4 years
bAR/bAT MiTzvAH CLub & PRePARATion Boys and Girls ages 12-13
JeWiSH LAWyeRS neTWoRK Serving lawyers in the GTA
THe bAyvieW SHuL Worship and Holiday programs
JTeenS Community service programs for High School students
HebReW SCHooL oF THe ARTS Judaic Studies through the Arts
JeWiSH WoMen’S CiRCLe Social & Educational Events
gARden CAMP Summer for toddlers
bAyvieW JeWiSH ACAdeMy Adult Education
CHAbAd yP Serving Young Jewish Professionals & Couples
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Timeline FALL 2007 inception of Chabad of york Mills at Rabbi Levi and Rivky’s home at 2427 bayview. 25 people attended High Holiday Services. SUMMER 2008 Chabad of york Mills moves to 2452 bayview Avenue. FALL 2008 16 students attend the newly formed Hebrew School of the Arts. JULY 2009 Small Renovation doubles size of the shul, Seats 60. FALL 2009 5 children enroll in the garden Preschool. WINTER 2010 jTeens becomes a reality with 15 teens joining our program. SUMMER 2010 The garden Camp opens with 8 children. SPRING 2011 Jewish Lawyers network kicks-off with 110 Lawyers in attendance.
SUMMER 2011 A last-minute renovation expands the sanctuary to 2000 square feet – seating 220. FALL 2011 16 Students enroll in the garden Preschool. 75 Students attend the Hebrew School of the Arts. SPRING 2012 Celebrates 13 bar Mitzvah in less than 10 months since renovation. Thousands come through its doors. FALL 2012 Chabad yP is initiated with an inaugural Shabbat dinner. A yP mission to israel is planned for March 2013 SPRING 2013 Chabad of york Mills celebrates its fifth annual gala dinner with over 300 in attendance FALL 2013 over 450 worshippers attend High Holidays services in a tent on premises.
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Chabad of york Mills PeoPLe RAbbi Levi & RivKy gAnSbuRg were both raised in Chabad families which instilled within them a forceful drive to love every Jew unconditionally. From a young age, they both knew they would one day build a community which would eternalize the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory. They yearned to bring a sense of Jewish pride to Jewish people – no matter their background or affiliation. Along with their daughters, Chaya and Rosa, the gansburg family has transformed the bayview corridor into a bustling hub of Jewish life where both young and old are excited to connect to their heritage in a fun and meaningful way. They are proud to lead one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the greater Toronto Area marked with its warm, loving and welcoming trademark.
PLACeS developed and built from the 1920s to 1960s, the bayview and york Mills neighbourhood is a residential area nestled along bayview Avenue just south of the 401. Home to some 10,000 Jewish residents, the neighbourhood is known for its cozy, windy and country-feel streets tucked away in the heart of the city of Toronto.
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“We feel connected to something important and worthwhile, without the pressure that comes with so many other synagogues.” —Alexis R. PHiLoSoPHieS Founded over 200 years ago, Chabad-Lubavitch is the most dynamic force in Jewish life today. The Hebrew name “CHabad” is an acronym for CHochmah (wisdom), binah (understanding) and da’at (knowledge). The movement’s philosophy thus teaches understanding and recognition of the Creator, the role and purpose of creation, and the importance and unique mission of each creature. “Lubavitch” is the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century. Appropriately, the word Lubavitch means the “city of brotherly love,” conveying the essence of the responsibility and love for every single Jew engendered by Chabad philosophy. The movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders, beginning with Rabbi Schneur zalman of righteous memory (1745–1812). in our generation, Rabbi MenachemMendel Schneerson of righteous memory (1902–1994), known simply as “the Rebbe,” guided Jewry to safety from the ravages of the Holocaust. Motivated by his profound love for every Jew and spurred by his boundless optimism and self-sacrifice, the Rebbe set into motion a dazzling array of programs, services and institutions. Today 4,000 emissary families direct more than 3,300 institutions dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish people worldwide.
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We’Re gRoWing HoMe 22,000 SF | SynAgogue | CoMMuniTy CenTRe SoCiAL HALL | MiKvAH | CLASSRooMS
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“RAbbi Levi And RivKy ARe ouT THeRe KnoCKing on dooRS And CooRdinATing SPeCiAL evenTS To bRing THe CoMMuniTy TogeTHeR.” —dAvid R.
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