It was a grand opening and Lag BaOmer festivities wrapped into one.

More than 700 people in the Jewish community in Calgary joined together to witness the May 14 ribbon-cutting and mezuzah-hanging of the brand-new Chabad-Lubavitch of Alberta, and wish a “Mazel Tov!” to its directors, Rabbi Menachem and Rochel Matusof, who have lived and worked in the Western Canadian province since 1988.

Fania Wedro came to the event with a friend. They both noticed the clouds and dark sky that day—it rained all morning and again at night—but right there, she said, in the spot where the ceremony took place, the sun came out.

“Isn’t that something?” posed the 89-year-old Holocaust survivor, still marveling at the fact.

Wedro arrived in Canada from Eastern Europe in 1948 and has lived in Calgary since 1974.

“I remember when they first got here,” she said, referring to the Matusofs. “They visited me at my home. They do such good work, such outreach. They have brought more Jewishness, but also, togetherness.”

Rabbi Menachem and Rochel Matusof, who run the Chabad center
Rabbi Menachem and Rochel Matusof, who run the Chabad center

For the longest time, the couple offered programs for children and teens, counseling, Torah study, classes and Jewish-holiday events from a 6,500-square-foot rented unit in a shopping strip mall. On Sunday, they dedicated a 13,500-square-foot building—with two acres of property—that includes a synagogue, social hall, kosher kitchen, library, youth center, computer lab, classroom, administrative offices and facilities for Camp Gan Israel.

The new building is centrally located in the city, about a 30-minute walk from major hotels, and much more convenient for Jewish families and tourists.

“It’s history in the making,” said the rabbi in welcoming local residents, guests and government leaders to the event. “We are opening our hearts and our doors to a new bright and promising future for our children and the next generation.”

Cutting the ribbon, from left: Rick Balbi, Murray Robins, Sam Switzer, Leslie Levant and Dr. Marvin Levant. Assisting them were Saundra Shapiro and Loren Molever (not pictured).
Cutting the ribbon, from left: Rick Balbi, Murray Robins, Sam Switzer, Leslie Levant and Dr. Marvin Levant. Assisting them were Saundra Shapiro and Loren Molever (not pictured).

His wife agreed, saying “we are open to everyone, no membership required,” and made it a point to greet as many guests as possible at the afternoon event, featuring mini-golf, moon bounces, music, a petting zoo, rock-climbing wall and a kosher barbecue dinner.

The Honorable Jason Kenney, a longtime Canadian politician, spoke at the event, saying the Chabad House represents “a light in our community.”

Rebbe [Menachem M.] Schneerson, of blessed memory, said that in a hole of perfect darkness, totally dark, if you light one small candle, its light will be seen from afar. Its precious light will be seen by everyone. Today, we light a candle in this center that will shine for years and perhaps decades to come as part of the global network of Chabad that helps Jews to become better Jews.”

The Honorable Jason Kenney addressed the audience; to his right is Gordon Hoffman.
The Honorable Jason Kenney addressed the audience; to his right is Gordon Hoffman.

Kenney has visited numerous Chabad centers—from Budapest to New Delhi, Toronto and Montreal to St. Petersburg—but said that he would never forget a visit to the Chabad House in Mumbai three months after the terror attacks in November 2008. He said it was “an obscure little home on a side street in a city of 30 million people that was sought out for destruction because it represented, to those motivated by hate, the Jewish community. It had been, simply, a place of refuge and prayer . . . yet it had been targeted by violence and hatred.”

He ended on a note of hope and positivity, wishing the Matusofs, donors and others responsible for the new building well, adding of Chabad: “This is a community that goes everywhere, that accompanies everybody in need of accompaniment, that provides them with spiritual direction and succor.”

“It’s history in the making,” said the rabbi to residents, guests and government leaders.
“It’s history in the making,” said the rabbi to residents, guests and government leaders.
CTeen volunteers helped serve food, including hot dogs, burgers and cotton candy.
CTeen volunteers helped serve food, including hot dogs, burgers and cotton candy.
A kosher barbecue dinner was available to all.
A kosher barbecue dinner was available to all.
Children climbed a rock wall, played mini-golf and spent time at the petting zoo.
Children climbed a rock wall, played mini-golf and spent time at the petting zoo.
Bruno Kahane affixes a mezuzah during the celebration, while Gavriel Snyder looks on.
Bruno Kahane affixes a mezuzah during the celebration, while Gavriel Snyder looks on.
The new 13,500-square-foot building is about a 30-minute walk from major hotels.
The new 13,500-square-foot building is about a 30-minute walk from major hotels.