A new Chabad center is coming to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, as Rabbi Schneur and Sheina Matusof prepare to move to the city with their four children to establish the area’s first dedicated Chabad presence.
The new initiative, known as Chabad of Eden Prairie, will operate under the guidance of the Upper Midwest Merkos-Lubavitch House and Chabad of Minneapolis. The center aims to provide Jewish residents in Eden Prairie with a local place for community, learning, and religious programming.
Eden Prairie, a city with a population of more than 60,000 people, has not previously had its own dedicated Chabad center. The Matusofs’ arrival is expected to create new opportunities for Jewish families and individuals in the growing suburban community.
The new Chabad center plans to offer a variety of programs and services, including Shabbat and Jewish holiday gatherings, Torah classes, children’s activities, and personalized one-on-one Jewish learning opportunities.
Rabbi Mendel Feller, associate director of Upper Midwest Merkos-Lubavitch and director of Lubavitch House in West St. Paul, said the expansion reflects the broader mission of building Jewish communities in areas where Jewish families are increasingly choosing to live.
“The Rebbe’s vision requires us to look beyond the places where Jewish life is already established and ask where Jews are building their lives today,” Feller said.
He added that establishing a dedicated Chabad center in Eden Prairie represents an important step in creating a stronger Jewish community within the city.
“It is significant that we are now building a dedicated Chabad center in Eden Prairie, giving local Jewish residents the opportunity to build a Jewish community in their own neighborhood,” he said.
The Matusofs said their approach will focus on personal connections and community building from the beginning. They plan to reach Jewish residents throughout Eden Prairie and create programs designed to encourage participation, learning, and a stronger sense of belonging.
The goal of Chabad of Eden Prairie is to develop a welcoming Jewish community that reflects the needs of local residents while serving as a central address for Jewish life in the area.
The new center will focus on connecting with Jewish people from different backgrounds and levels of religious involvement, offering opportunities for education, celebration, and community engagement.
To help launch the new Chabad center, the Matusofs have started a fundraising campaign called “Planting Jewish Life.” The campaign will support startup expenses and help fund the center’s initial programs and outreach efforts.
Supporters can contribute through various sponsorship opportunities, including joining a monthly Chai Club beginning at $36.
The Matusofs’ move marks a new chapter for Jewish life in Eden Prairie, with plans to establish a lasting community resource where residents can gather, learn, and celebrate Jewish traditions close to home.
