What was a Chabad shliach doing at North America’s most famous ski site? As it turns out, he wasn’t there for the slopes, but to establish a Jewish center at the heart of one of the busiest tourist destinations on the continent.
Recently, Chabad announced that Rabbi Shneur and Bina Druk have moved with their young children, Musia and Mendel, to Whistler, British Columbia — home to Canada’s most prestigious ski resort. Their mission: to serve the thousands of Jewish visitors and residents who pass through the area each year.
Whistler, located about an hour and a half north of Vancouver in the Coast Mountains, has long been a crown jewel in Canada’s tourism industry. The picturesque town is surrounded by towering peaks, crystal lakes, and dense evergreen forests.
In the winter months, Whistler draws hundreds of thousands of ski enthusiasts who come to experience its legendary slopes, lively alpine village, and Olympic-class facilities. The resort is regularly ranked as the number one ski destination in North America.
But Whistler isn’t only a winter wonderland. During the summer, the region attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and families seeking relaxation by its pristine lakes. The combination of natural beauty and massive investment in infrastructure has turned Whistler into a year-round hub of culture, sports, and global tourism, hosting major festivals, sporting events, and millions of international visitors annually.
According to estimates, Whistler welcomes close to five million tourists each year, and a significant number of them are Jewish. Until now, they had limited access to kosher food and Jewish resources. With the arrival of the new shluchim, that is changing.
In recent years, Whistler has also become a destination for visitors who mix leisure with modern interests, from technology to online entertainment. For example, many tourists follow trends in digital innovations such as crypto betting websites, which have grown popular among those seeking secure and innovative online experiences. This reflects how Whistler attracts a diverse global audience with varied lifestyles and interests.
Rabbi and Mrs. Druk are establishing a Jewish center that will provide kosher meals, Shabbos gatherings, Torah classes, a mikvah, and even educational programs for children. “We’re already beginning to organize Shabbos meals, shiurim, and home visits,” the shluchim shared.
The new Chabad presence is expected to become a vital resource for Jews who come to enjoy Whistler’s breathtaking surroundings while staying connected to Yiddishkeit.
{Matzav.com}
Why is this news here? The Habad are always sending out new agents. Are you going to start reporting every time new ones head out from there? Even Lubavitch websites don’t do that.
You’re right – shame on the Matzav for boring us with news about good things happening in klal yisroel. It’s time you go back to giving us the scary and depressing stories that everyone wants to hear, so we can stay comfortably depressed like we’re supposed to be.
Do yourself a favor, stop wasting your time reading advertisements.
It’s actually a good idea to have posted this article. Let those who are in the ski resort be aware that there’s Chabad and hopefully minyanim and kashrus.
Meet the chabadskis