Below is a brief history of the work done in the JRCC by its leaders, visionaries, and respected members.

1980

  • Charged by the Rebbe with the responsibility of helping to unify a growing Jewish Russian community and to infuse it with Jewish pride, joy, and knowledge, Rabbi Yoseph Zaltzman and his wife Chiena moved to Toronto with the assistance of Rabbi Zalman A. Grossbaum; Head Shliach of Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario, and the help of Mr. Dov Parshan (OBM) and Rabbi Shlomo Hochler (OBM).
  •  The JRCC became the first organization in Ontario to successfully serve the Jewish Russian community, building off of the pioneering work done by Chabad worldwide.

 1981

  • Adult Education classes begin
  • Holiday Programs begin
  • Rebbe’s Ten Mitzvah campaigns and Children’s Sefer Torah campaign begins

1983

  • Exodus Newspaper (in Russian) is first published. (The original eight-page issue grows to become a 40 page magazine filled with insightful articles and information relevant to the community.)

1985

  • Incorporation of the JRCC.
  • Synagogue services begin in a rented room at the Bernard Betel Centre 

1986

  • Levi Yitzchok Kollel for Seniors is established. 

1987

  • The JRCC at 18 Rockford Road opens.
  • Menorah erected at 5987 Bathurst St. 

 1988

  • Youth program commences.
  • Menorah is erected at Mel Lastman Square

1990

  • First JRCC Hebrew School in North York opens with 25 students.
  • First JRCC Lottery is held
  • First Gala Wedding is held.

1992

  • The JRCC opens its administrative offices at 5987 Bathurst St. 

1993

  • Second branch of Hebrew School opens in Thornhill. 

1994

  • Pre-School and Daycare opens at 5950 Bathurst St.

1995

  • JRCC Satellite at 4300 Bathurst St. opens.  

1996

  •  JRCC Satellite at 4455 Bathurst St. opens.
  •  Tenth anniversary Gala Dinner.
  •  Third Branch of the JRCC Hebrew School opens.

1997

  • Expansion of Pre-School and Daycare brings the total number of children attending to 55 between the ages of 18 months and six years.
  • JRCC Gala Concert at the Ford Centre.
  • Ohr Menachem Academy Day School opens.

1998

  • Second JRCC Branch opens: JRCC West Thornhill
  • JRCC Institute of Jewish Studies Adult Education program begins.

1999

  • 8808 Bathurst St. is purchased for Ohr Menachem Academy Day School.

2000

  • Ohr Menachem Academy moves to its own premises after completing renovations.

2001

  • Third JRCC Branch opens: JRCC of Concord.
  • JRCC Annual Jewish Calendar & Program Guide published on its own for the first time. 

2002

  • Exodus Magazine, a monthly English publication, makes its debut.
  • Pre-School expands to five classrooms, serving 99 children. 
  • Fourth JRCC Branch opens: JRCC Thornhill Woods. 

2003

  • The JRCC celebrates 18 years of operation.
  • JRCC satellite at 3174 Bathurst St. opens.
  • Opening of the JRCC Bookstore, with one of the best and largest selections of Jewish Russian Books on the planet.

2004

  • Ohr Menachem Academy, now 8 years old, reaches Grade 8.
  • Torah for Teens program begins.

2005

  • Fifth JRCC Branch opens: JRCC East Thornhill
  • A Jewish Birthday congratulation program is launched.

2006

  • The JRCC prints an Annual Report of all its programs and financials for the first time.
  • Exodus Magazine changes its look to a colour, glossy style magazine.
  • JRCC Affiliation with Chabad of Niagara established
  • Tribute Dinner in honour of the JRCC’s 25th Anniversary – proceeds used to establish the JRCC Endowment Fund for Jewish Education .

2007

  • JRCC expands outside the GTA opening: JRCC of Ottawa.
  • Chesed assistance program with a soup kitchen and furniture bank program opens
  • The JRCC Annual Report expands to a full color magazine mailed out to the whole community.
  • JRCC satellite at 175 Hilda Ave. opens.
  • The JRCC Hebrew School opens new location in East Thornhill.
  • JRCC Affiliation with Jewish Gorsky Community established.

2008

  • The JRCC "Jewish Identity Grants" project is launched, (including Free Tefillin and Mezuzahs, and a grant when making one’s home Kosher).
  • JRCC Purchases a 3.8 Acre lot for building its future Centre.
  • Education Scholarships Fund is established. 

2009

  • Launch of the Gmach Meir Shlomo Free Loan Assistance program.
  • Sixth JRCC Branch opens: JRCC S Richmond Hill & Maple.
  • JRCC @ Rockford completes its first major renovation.
  • JRCC Affiliation with Chabad of Hamilton & Chabad of Danforth-Beaches is established.
  • JRCC Winter Camp launched for boys. 

2010

  • JRCC’s First North American Russian Retreat.
  • JRCC Affiliation in London, Ontario & with Chabad of Dorham is established.
  • JRCC Summer Camp Program launched for boys and girls.

2011

  • JRCC Furniture Depot moves to 1416 Centre St. Basement
  • Tribute Dinner in honor of the JRCC’s 30th Anniversary
  • Community wide Gala Chanuka Concert in honor of the JRCC’s 30th Anniversary

2012

  • Seventh JRCC Branch opens: JRCC South Thornhill
  • JRCC Affiliation with Chabad of Waterloo Region established.
  • The JRCC Hebrew school Sunday location moves to a upgraded location and renamed as the JRCC Maple Hebrew school.
  • JRCC sells the 3.8 acres of land purchased for a future Centre
  • 9699 Bathurst St. is purchased for JRCC S. Richmond Hill & Maple.
  • JRCC Furniture Depot receives federal and OTF grants for a over 1M renovation for a state of the art 13,000 square foot facility.

2013

  • The JRCC Hebrew School opens a location in North Richmond Hill. 
  • JRCC Affiliation with Chabad of Windsor established.
  • The JRCC Hebrew School opens new location in Concord, bringing the total locations to six.
  • Rabbis Yoseph and Mendel Zaltzman receive the  Queens Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of their dedication to the Community. 
  • JRCC Establishes a Free Tax Clinic for low income people 
  • JRCC of Thornhill Woods structure is adjusted to operating independently as the JRCC affiliate and representative in the neighbourhood. 

2015

  •  1252 Centre St. is Purchased for the development of the JRCC West Thornhill Future Home.
  • JRCC East Thornhill moves into its new Home at 7608 Yonge St. after a yearlong construction.

2016

  • The JRCC Furniture Depot serves over 800 families and gives out 6,000 items of Furniture.

2017

  • The JRCC Furniture Depot receives an OTF Grant and enhances the facility with a close to 1M renovation.
  • Eighth JRCC branch opens at Steeles/Hilda 

2018

  • JRCC Appoints a CEO and COO for the first time.
  • JRCC hires a young Dynamic Rabbi to take over operations at JRCC @ Rockford

2019

  • Ninth JRCC branch opens: JRCC of Willowdale
  • A dozen BBQ`s in Rural Communities around the GTA are held with the JRCC Mitzva Tank.
  • Tenth JRCC branch opens in Woodbridge. 

2020

  • JRCC celebrates 40 years of serving the community.
  • Plans are set for building development for JRCC West Thornhill and S. Richmond Hill & Maple.
  • JRCC @ Rockford has a fire and undergoes major renovation. with plans to reopen for 2020 High Holidays.
  • JRCC lunches JRCC.Help, to help seniors during Covid-19. Helping and reaching out to thousands of Seniors in the Community. 

With feverous hope Moshiach arrives. Mission accomplished