Rabbi Moshe Cohen
Born in the late 1980s amidst the frosty landscape of Canada, I carry with me memories of snow-capped winters and ski-filled adventures. As the eldest of eight, my roots run deep within the vibrant Jewish community of Montreal. Here, I embarked on a journey of faith and learning, attending day school, yeshiva, and summer camps that shaped my early years.
My thirst for knowledge and spiritual growth led me far from home during my late teens and twenties. I studied across various Jewish institutions worldwide, culminating in earning my Rabbinics degree in Pretoria, South Africa.
April 2014 began a new chapter when I married my better half, Mushky. Mushky brought with her a profound connection to the Jewish community in Birmingham, Alabama, where she had made a lasting impact.
After spending some time in New York post-marriage, we felt the call to continue our mission of spreading love and Jewish teachings. This led us to Huntsville and North Alabama, where we established our Chabad House—a beacon of light and learning as part of a global Jewish outreach network. Guided by the Lubavitcher Rebbe's vision, we are committed to reaching out to every Jew, regardless of where they are.
With eyes set on the future, we envision a continuation of growth in our vibrant, inclusive community where every Jew feels at home. A hub where kindness and joy ripple through every action. Together, we're on a mission to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time.
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Mushka (nee Gerlitzky) Cohen
The Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, was where I called home. My childhood was a tapestry of close-knit friendships, bustling streets, and a community where everything was just a walk or subway ride away. As the seventh of fourteen children, my upbringing was steeped in pride—pride in our Jewish identity, heritage, and the legacy passed down through generations.
Outreach has always been my passion. From my high school years onward, I devoted every summer and winter break to volunteering at Jewish centers around the globe—Thailand being the most far-flung destination. But it was Birmingham, Alabama, where I first tasted the sweetness of Southern hospitality. Invited by my dear friend Chaya to spend an intern year at her family's thriving Chabad Jewish center, I discovered a community that would leave a lasting imprint on my heart.
Two years later, after marrying my beloved husband, Moshe, I introduced him to my Birmingham family, and we'd visit together the community that had become so dear to me.
When the chance arose to expand our outreach to North Alabama, I couldn't resist the call to fulfill my mission in a place like "sweet home Alabama." Since 2015, we've been living that dream, nurturing both our communal life and our growing family. Our southern born children—daughter Sara and sons Tzvika, Arik, and Chaim Oz—are integral to our vision and mission, contributing their own light to our work.
Every day, I strive to realize my potential, positively influence those around me, and help make the world a better place—one soul at a time.