About Chabad of Richmond
A welcoming Jewish home for every Jew in Richmond.
Chabad of Richmond is dedicated to creating meaningful Jewish experiences for individuals and families of every background.
Through educational programs, holiday celebrations, youth initiatives, community events and personal guidance, we strive to make Judaism welcoming, meaningful and accessible for all.
Rabbi Yechiel & Chanie Baitelman
Founders & Directors
Rabbi Yechiel and Chanie Baitelman founded Chabad of Richmond over 25 years ago. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to building a warm and vibrant Jewish community through education, holiday celebrations, pastoral care, community events and meaningful personal relationships.
Email Rabbi & Chanie
[email protected]
Rabbi Menachem & Esther Wolf
Directors of Young Jewish Life & Family Engagement
Rabbi Menachem and Esther lead Chabad's Young Jewish Life initiatives, including Young Jewish Professionals, CTeen, Hebrew School, family programming and community events that inspire the next generation of Jewish life in Richmond.
Email Rabbi Menachem & Esther
[email protected]
Community Leadership
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our dedicated volunteer Board of Directors provides leadership, experience and guidance as Chabad of Richmond continues to grow and serve the Richmond Jewish community.
Ed Lewin
President
A retired lawyer and longtime Richmond resident, Ed has dedicated decades to Jewish community leadership, including six years as President of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre.
Phil Levinson
Vice President
Phil is a CPA and wealth management advisor with extensive nonprofit experience. A past Co-President of Richmond Jewish Day School, he is passionate about strengthening Jewish community life.
Jeff Wachtel
2nd Vice President & Secretary
A retired podiatrist, Jeff has spent more than four decades serving professional and community organizations, including many years of leadership within Richmond's Jewish community.
Steve Whiteside
Past President
Steve is an entrepreneur, executive coach and leadership consultant with decades of experience leading educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.
Shaun Samuel
Treasurer
Shaun is a CPA and Senior Corporate Auditor who has been part of Chabad Richmond since childhood. He brings financial expertise and a lifelong connection to the community.
Raphael Arazi
Director
Raphael is a respected realtor and longtime community leader who previously served as President of Chabad Richmond and remains deeply involved in its growth.
Sheldon Kuchinsky
Director
With more than 30 years of produce-industry experience, Sheldon has served on numerous community boards and is deeply devoted to Jewish communal life.
Gayle Morris
Director
As Campaign Director for Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Gayle brings extensive experience in fundraising, project management and nonprofit leadership.
David Linde
Director
Originally from South Africa, David has called Richmond home for more than 25 years and is a longtime Chabad supporter, fundraiser and community volunteer.
Marc Kalvari
Director
Marc is pursuing a career in mortgage brokerage and brings a strong commitment to lifelong learning, integrity and service to the community.
Shelden Smollan
Director
Shelden is Chief Experience Officer at Experior Financial Group with more than 30 years in the insurance industry. He recently returned to Richmond from Toronto, and is proud to continue his longstanding involvement in the Jewish community.
