Shopify President and Philanthropist Finkelstein Donates to Chabad Centers Amid Carlson Criticism

MONTREAL (VINnews) — Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify and a major investor who keeps his net worth private, announced weekend donations to Chabad campus centers across Canada, amid recent controversy stirred by U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson’s remarks about the Chabad movement.

Finkelstein, a grandson of Holocaust survivors, said in a social media post that he and his wife, Lindsay Taub, a psychotherapist and entrepreneur, are supporting the centers for their work feeding, mentoring, and caring for Jewish students. “Often quietly. Always with love,” he wrote.

The family lives in Montreal with their two daughters. In 2018, Finkelstein donated $2 million to establish the Finkelstein Chabad Jewish Centre in Ottawa, aiming to expand space for students after attending as a university student himself.

“Thank you to the entire Chabad on Campus community for everything you do for Jewish students everywhere,” he added.

When I was a law student in Ottawa, the local Chabad ran Friday night dinners out of a rabbi’s living room. Students everywhere. Total chaos. Total warmth.

I wasn’t religious. They didn’t care. They just welcomed me.

Years later, Lindsay and I helped build a Chabad center on…

— Harley Finkelstein (@harleyf) March 6, 2026

This weekend Lindsay and I will make donations to campus Chabad houses across Canada.

They open their homes to students. They feed them. Support them. Show up for them.

Often quietly. Always with love.

To the entire @Chabad on Campus community: thank you for everything you do… https://t.co/SW4u46t7fC

— Harley Finkelstein (@harleyf) March 6, 2026

The internet amplifies outrage.

But it can amplify generosity too.

After my post about Chabad, incredible people like @ddebow and others stepped up to match our donations to the 13 Chabad houses serving students across Canada.

That’s how good things spread. https://t.co/I2MDGJkeSs pic.twitter.com/yRB4avK36G

— Harley Finkelstein (@harleyf) March 7, 2026