Zalman Zirkind
Canadian Hasidic rabbi and convicted money launderer associated with Chabad-Lubavitch
| Zalman Zirkind | |
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| Nationality | Canadian |
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| Occupation | Rabbi, charity director |
| Known for | Conviction for money laundering; secretary of Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel |
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Zalman Zirkind (also spelled Zalmund Zirkind or Zalmen Zirkind) is a Canadian Hasidic rabbi of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement who served as secretary and director of the Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel, a Montreal-based Chabad charity that was revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency in November 2022.[1] He was convicted in the United States in 2021 of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an international drug-trafficking scheme and sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.[2]
Zirkind's involvement with Chabad-Lubavitch extended beyond the revoked charity. He has been linked to fundraising and operational roles within Chabad networks in Montreal and Quebec, including earlier associations with Chabad educational and outreach programs. His family has deep roots in Montreal Chabad, with his father Rabbi Simcha Zirkind being a pioneer of Chabad activities in Quebec.[3]
Criminal conviction
In July 2020 Zirkind was arrested at the US-Canada border in Champlain, New York, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded guilty to laundering proceeds of drug trafficking through a multi-jurisdictional scheme involving New York, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Colombia and Mexico. He was sentenced to 84 months in prison on 15 January 2021 by US District Judge Denise Cote.[2][4]
Involvement with Chabad groups
Zirkind's primary documented role was as secretary and director of the Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel (charity number 138369921RR0001), a Chabad organisation focused on fundraising for religious and charitable activities in the Zionist entity. He held this position from at least 2000 until at least 2015. The charity was audited multiple times by the Canada Revenue Agency for non-compliance, including inadequate books and records related to Zirkind's own salary and travel expenses, and was ultimately revoked in 2022.[1][5]
No other specific Chabad organisations list Zirkind in an official capacity, though family members have been active in broader Chabad-Lubavitch networks in Montreal.
See also
Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel Chabad-Lubavitch movement
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Canada Revenue Agency, Notice of Intention to Revoke Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel, accessed 31 March 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Matthew Russell Lee, For Money Laundering Zalmund Zirkind Gets 84 Months Inner City Press, 15 January 2021.
- ↑ Lost Messiah, The Zirkind Family Saga Continues Lost Messiah, 12 August 2020.
- ↑ JTA, A Hasidic man faces prison for money laundering Forward, 14 January 2021.
- ↑ Mondo Weiss, A look at five pro-Israel organizations that lost charitable status in Canada Mondo Weiss, 11 November 2024.