A prominent Canadian rabbi has said that many Jews were deeply unhappy with the victory of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau in the country's national election this week.

Rabbi Reuben Poupko of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said that a "large chunk" of the almost 400,000-strong Jewish community "went to sleep very disappointed" by the ousting of Stephen Harper, who was an outspoken supporter of Israel while prime minister.

Rabbi Poupko added that a section of Jews were more willing to take Mr Trudeau at his word when he said during the 11-week campaign that he would support Israel as much as Mr Harper.

"The community will be relying on him to keep that commitment, that same level of support," he said.

CIJA chair David Cape congratulated Mr Trudeau and thanked Mr Harper for his "deep and sustained support" of the Jewish community and Israel.

Rabbi Poupko said Jewish Liberal voters seemed unconcerned by Mr Trudeau's campaign appearance at a mosque that was accused of donating to a Hamas-linked charity in 2009.

Mr Trudeau, son of iconic Liberal figure Pierre Elliott Trudeau, said he accepted the mosque's explanation that at the time the charity was registered and legal under Canadian law.

The rabbi said that while most Jews cast their ballots for Tories or Liberals, all parties garnered some Jewish votes, reflecting the community's diversity.