ABOUT US
Chabad Without Borders is about Passionate Jewish Experiences and Meaningful Education.
Our doors and arms are always open to help every Jew in any way we can in Mexico. Chabad is dedicated to making the beauty of our Jewish principles and heritage accessible to all Jews, assisting in bringing the light of Jewish tradition into one’s life. Chabad welcomes and accepts all Jews regardless of background or affiliation.
Directed by Rabbi Mendel Polichenco and his wife Dini, Chabad Without Borders has begun to serve the community with a variety of services. Our programs are generalized in three categories: Youth Programs, Adult Education, and Community Services. We encourage you to learn about the many programs we are establishing by visiting our website or calling: 619-726-4645. We look forward to personally greeting you at an upcoming event or class.
Here at Chabad Without Borders we provide a comprehensive program with services for every member of the community. We provide:
- A friendly trilingual Shul (Spanish, English & Hebrew).
- Kosher Restaurant with delivery to hotels and hospitals
- Mikve
- The Mexican Shabat Experience
- Talmud Torah
- Judaica & Kosher Store
- Chevrah Kadisha
- Adult Education Program
- Youth Groups
- Bar & Bat Mitzva Program
- Jewish Medical Group
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation program
- Counseling
- Library
Contact Info
Rabbi Mendel Polichenco
Phone: 1(619)726-4645
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.chabadwithoutborders.com
| About Rabbi Polichenco |
RABBI M. MENDEL YAKOV POLICHENCO
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 16th of Shevat, 5732.
His parents, Rabbi Engineer Abraham Yosef and Professor Yehudit Polichenco, also Argentinean, had only one daughter, Naomi. 13 years later they received a blessing from Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and a son was born which they called Menachem Mendel Yakov.
Mendel’s formal Jewish education began in 1975. His father, unsatisfied with the existing standards of the other Jewish schools, founded Oholei Chinuch.
EDUCATION:
1985 – Yeshiva Ghedola - Buenos Aires.
1988 – Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim - Kiryat Gat, Israel.
1990 - Rabbinical College of America – Morristown, New Jersey
1992 - Graduates as a Bachelor on Rabbinics - RCA.
1993 – Receives Rabbinical ordination - Kfar Chabad, Israel.
2001 – Masters in Organizational Development, Ibero Americana University – México.
Before Yom Kippur in the year 1993, Mendel received the blessing and consent of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson to accept the position of Rabbi for the Jewish Community of Tijuana, making him the first official Shliach (representative) of the Chabad movement, in Mexico.
A year later he received a second blessing, to marry Nechama Dina, daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Hakohen Rodal, one of the most prominent Rabbis in Italy, To date they have three beautiful boys.
Rabbi Polichenco’s dedication to the Community has given a lift up to the Judaism in Tijuana. Since his arrival the installations have gone through a total makeover. He founded the first and only Jewish Day School in the state, opened a Mikve, a Kosher restaurant, bakery and catering service.
His stamina, upright personality and oratory skills have taken him across Mexico, U.S.A. and Europe.
Back home, he leads the Adult Education Program, Daily Services, Special Holiday Programs, Overnight Summer Camp, Bar and Bat Mitzva Group, Bikur Cholim Society and Chevra Kadisha, Youth Group and Welcome Committee for Immigrants coming from South America.
The Community was always supported by a President and Board of Directors, but recently, because of the economic crisis following September 11, 2001, the people could no longer continue with the financial responsibility. Rabbi Polichenco took upon himself the burden of fundraising in order to preserve the only Jewish Center in the North West of Mexico.
He is fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew.
