CHABAD OF CHESTERFIELD
Chabad of Chesterfield serves as a central gathering place for Jewish life in West County and a welcoming Jewish home for the community, where individuals and families of all backgrounds feel comfortable, build real relationships, and experience Jewish tradition in everyday life.
ABOUT
CHABAD OF
CHESTERFIELD
THE PHILOSOPHY
Chabad-Lubavitch is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization. It is considered to be the most dynamic force in Jewish life today.
The word “Chabad” is a Hebrew acronym for the three intellectual faculties of chochmah—wisdom, binah—comprehension and da’at—knowledge.
THE MOVEMENT
Following its inception 250 years ago, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement—a branch of Hasidism—swept through Russia and spread in surrounding countries as well. It provided scholars with answers that eluded them, and simple farmers with a love that had been denied them. Eventually the philosophy of Chabad-Lubavitch and its adherents reached almost every corner of the world and affected almost every facet of Jewish life.
THE LEADERSHIP
The movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders (“Rebbes”), beginning with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi of righteous memory (1745–1812). These leaders expounded upon the most refined and delicate aspects of Jewish mysticism, creating a corpus of study thousands of books strong. They personified the age-old Biblical qualities of piety and leadership.
THE ORGANIZATION
The origins of today’s Chabad-Lubavitch organization can be traced to the early 1940s, when the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of righteous memory (1880–1950), appointed his son-in-law and later successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, to head the newly founded educational and social service arms of the movement.
OUR STAFF
Rabbi Avi and Chanala Rubenfeld (along with their 6 boys) founded Chabad of Chesterfield with a simple vision: to create a Jewish home in West County where every person feels comfortable walking in, asking questions, and finding connection.
Rabbi Avi received his rabbinic ordination in Sydney, Australia, and later served as an AskMoses Scholar, responding to Jewish questions from individuals across the globe. Bringing that perspective to the local community, the Rubenfelds established Chabad of Chesterfield as a welcoming center of Jewish life grounded in relationships, learning, and shared experience.
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Over time, Chabad of Chesterfield has become a natural gathering place for families, young professionals, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Many arrive knowing few people and quickly find friendships, guidance, and a genuine sense of belonging.
What takes place here extends beyond a single event or class. People celebrate milestones together, support one another through life’s moments, and reconnect with Jewish tradition in a way that feels accessible, meaningful, and alive.
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Chabad of Chesterfield continues to grow as a community where Jewish life is experienced with warmth, depth, and lasting connection.