A new Chabad House in Fairbanks, Alaska, the northernmost Jewish community in the world, will open this Shabbos by shluchim Rabbi Heshy and Chani Wolf in honor of the 80th anniversary of Chof Av.
A new Chabad House is opening up in the northernmost community in the world, in the city of Fairbanks, Alaska. The Chabad House will open its doors this coming Shabbos by Rabbi Heshy and Chani Wolf, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe’s father on Chof Av.
Head Shluchim in Alaska, Rabbi Yosef and Esty Greenberg are bringing down the Wolfs to start a new home for the Jewish community in Fairbanks. Philanthropist Mr. Jay Ramras, a longtime friend of Rabbi Greenberg and a pillar of the Jewish community in Fairbanks, has generously donated the building for the new Chabad House.
The Ramras family has been connected with Chabad since the Rebbe sent the first “Merkos Shluchim” to Fairbanks in 1970. Mr. Ramras celebrate his bar mitzvah at the Chabad House in Seattle with Shliach Rabbi Shalom Ber Levitin.
Judge Andrew Kleinfeld, a friend of the shluchim in Alaska, shared that over fifty years ago he was in Fairbanks when the first Lubavitchers, Rabbi Shmuel Spritzer and Rabbi Shmuel Langsam, came and put on tefillin with him. The judge remarked on how amazing it is to see the Rebbe’s far-reaching vision come to life, with the opening of the new Chabad House and the establishment of a permanent shliach in Fairbanks.
Attached are excerpts from the report by Rabbi Langsam and Rabbi Spitzer from 1970, as well as a copy of a letter Mr. Kleinfeld sent to 770 with a photo of the shluchim who visited Fairbanks.
The opening of the new Chabad House in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a true manifestation of the Rebbe’s declaration “Ufaratzta yama vakeidma, tzafona…,” as the northernmost Jewish community in the world is getting a permanent Jewish home, and preparing Fairbanks to welcome Moshiach.
Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.