Rabbi Chaim and Bassi Kudan, together with their son Pinny, are setting out as Shluchim to California, where they will be launching Chabad of Truckee, a new and joyous Jewish presence in the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains.

Rabbi Chaim and Bassi Kudan, together with their son Pinny, are setting out as Shluchim to California, where they will be launching Chabad of Truckee, a new and joyous Jewish presence in the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains.

Located at over 5,800 feet elevation, Truckee is known for its breathtaking alpine scenery, world-class skiing, and year-round outdoor recreation. It draws over half a million visitors annually, including many Jewish tourists and vacationers seeking meaningful experiences alongside the influx of full-time residents, both families and retirees, that the town has seen in recent years.

Rabbi Chaim Kudan, originally from Albany, NY, graduated from Chabad Yeshivas and has been involved in Jewish outreach across the U.S. and abroad. He has organized community programs and led services in cities from South Florida to Peru, connecting with Jewish locals, visitors, incarcerated individuals and youth internationally.

For the past few years, Rabbi Kudan has also tirelessly advocated for religious freedoms and humane rights within the Federal prison system. His efforts have helped ensure that incarcerated individuals are granted access to Tefillin, Kosher food, Shabbat and holiday needs, as well as medical care and meaningful connections with family. He has actively supported visitation rights, communication access, being placed in facilities closer to home, and participation in early release programs when appropriate — all in the spirit of upholding dignity and spiritual well-being for every individual in custody as envisioned by the Rebbe.

Bassi Kudan (née Cunin) was raised on Shlichus in Reno, NV, where her parents, Rabbi Mendel and Sarah Cunin, established Chabad of Northern Nevada. Bassi has a background in community programming and organizational development, curating engaging events and youth programming for communities around the U.S.

“In a place such as Truckee where you are surrounded by breath-taking nature” said Rabbi Kudan, “it provokes a tremendous awe for G-d and an instant understanding of the Divine Providence in everything around you. We want to give people the opportunity to connect that inspiration to their Yiddishkeit, through learning, community, and celebration.”

The new Chabad center will serve locals and the steady stream of Jewish travelers passing through Truckee and nearby Lake Tahoe. Plans include Shabbat and holiday services, Torah classes, youth programming, and hospitality for tourists.

To kick off this exciting initiative, the “Moving Mountains” Campaign has been launched to help raise the necessary funds to establish Chabad of Truckee and begin full programming in the coming months. Help launch Jewish life in Truckee and take part in building this Jewish outpost from the ground up.

The Kudans were appointed by West Coast Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin and Rabbi Mendel Cunin, regional director of Chabad of Northern Nevada.

You can support the “Moving Mountains” campaign today at Charidy.com/Truckee.