History in Jurmala: First permanent Chabad House in the Latvian resort city
A Chabad House was inaugurated in the heart of the main and bustling street of the famous resort city in Latvia. The mayor also took the microphone and spoke "like a true Hasid."
Since the founding of Jurmala, there has never been anything like this: in the heart of Jomas Street, the main and bustling street of the famous resort city in Latvia, traffic stopped yesterday, Tuesday. Hundreds of participants, including the Mayor of Jurmala, the rabbis of Latvia, heads of Jewish communities, and numerous guests who arrived from all over the world, gathered around the red ribbon.
At the peak moment of the evening, the exciting words were heard: "Welcome to the opening of the Chabad House of Jurmala!". This is how Rabbi Mendy Zilberstrom, emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and local community rabbi, opened the historic ceremony. The event concluded years of activity in temporary locations and marked the opening of a permanent Chabad House in the heart of the city, which will be a warm and welcoming address for local residents and the thousands of Jewish tourists who visit Jurmala every year.
"A Chabad House is not just another center. It is a real home. A home for every Jew wherever they are — resident, traveler, or tourist — and everyone will be received here with love and a warm welcome," declared Rabbi Zilberstrom with great emotion.
About four years ago, Rabbi Mendy and his wife Shoshi Zilberstrom, the first Chabad emissaries in Jurmala, arrived in the city. Since then, they have significantly expanded and strengthened Jewish activity in the city, which began years earlier at the initiative of the Chabad House of Riga, led by the Chief Emissary to Latvia, Rabbi Mordechai Glazman, and managed by Rabbi Schneur Kot. Now, the long-awaited moment has arrived, and the activity has gained an impressive permanent residence in the most strategic location in the city.
Immediately after the ribbon-cutting, the participants flocked into the new building, where the mezuzah-fixing ceremony took place and a series of warm blessings were recited. One of the most fascinating moments of the evening occurred when the Mayor of Jurmala — who is not Jewish but is among the close friends and supporters of Chabad's activities in the city — took the microphone and spoke with enthusiasm "like a true Hasid."
"A Hasid must be happy. Let's say 'L'chaim'!" the mayor called out to the applause of the crowd.
He shared with those present his deep personal connection to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and expressed his great pride that the new Chabad House is located right in the heart of the prominent Jomas pedestrian street. The atmosphere at the venue was uplifting. Local residents alongside guests from Israel, the United States, Europe, and other countries raised a festive "L'chaim" toast, celebrating a moment when a dream of years became a living and vibrant reality. During the ceremony, Rabbi Zilberstrom thanked Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky from the bottom of his heart for his decisive help in establishing the new center. The opening of the Chabad House in Jurmala marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Latvian Jewry — a chapter of growth, unity, and the empowerment of Jewish identity in the heart of Europe.
