Rabbi Raskin's annual Sukkot Dinner

On the evening of September 19, I joined Mayor Anthony Housefather and members of city council at the home of Rabbi Mendel Raskin and his wife Sarah. It is a tradition for the Raskins to hold festive dinners in their Sukkah. We were among a group of close to 100. Israeli Consul General Joel Lion was there as well and I was pleased to see many of my constituents from District 2.

Rabbi Mendel Raskin

I remember  meeting Rabbi Raskin a decade ago at Bialik High School. It was a very cold winter night and they were holding a dedication ceremony for the planned Beth Chabad Community Centre, which was to be built across the street at the corner of Marc Chagall and Kildare. For years Beth Chabad worked out of the former Eaton locale at Cavendish Mall and prior to that at the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre.

Our council works very closely with Rabbi Raskin. He goes out of his way to include us in his many activities. Coming up is a concert at Trudeau Park on September 23 and the lighting of the large menorah in front of City Hall at Chanukah. Beth  Chabad's beautiful facility has been in operation for two years now and hosts many simchas.

Please read Councillor Glenn J. Nashen's excellent summary of our evening in the Raskin Sukkah.

I also recommend you read this wonderful piece by Menachem Posner,.