Chabad House

A Chabad house is a centre for disseminating traditional Judaism by the Chabad movement. Chabad Houses are run by a Chabad Shaliach (emissary), his wife – a Shlucha (fem. for emissary) – and his family. They are located in cities and on or near college campuses.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the Rebbe) sent Rabbi Shlomo Cunin to Los Angeles in 1965 by to lay the groundwork for Chabad's West Coast activities. The first Chabad house for university students was opened in March 1969 at the University of California, Los Angeles by Rabbi Cunin. A key to the Chabad house was given to the Rebbe and he asked if that meant that the new house was his home. He was told yes and he replied, "My hand will be on the door of this house to keep it open twenty-four hours a day for young and old, men and women alike."

In 1972 Rabbi Cunin opened additional Chabad houses at the University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Diego. By 2003, Cunin had overseen the establishment of nearly 100 Chabad houses in California.

In a Chabad house, the Shaliach and Shalucha (rabbi and his wife) host programs, activities, and services for the local Jewish community and for tourists.

These centers exist today around the world, and serve as Jewish community centers that provide educational and outreach activities serving the needs of the entire Jewish community, regardless of degree of observance. Each center aims to provide a cozy and informal place to learn about and observe Judaism, and provides an atmosphere such that all Jews feel comfortable at Chabad events. Some are in or very near college campuses, others are not.

Chabad houses are typically run by a Chabad Rabbi and Rebbetzin, often with the assistance of unmarried Chabad young men or women, or, in the case of more developed Chabad houses, with the assistance of a second or even third married couple.

Some typical Chabad House programs include: Hospital and prison visitations; holiday activities such as "Sukkah Mobiles," Chanukah and Purim gift baskets and kits, holiday rallies and festivals; counseling and social Services; Jewish studies classes, lectures and seminars; Judaica services; regular newspapers and kosher meals. Classes may also be provided for non-Jews in the Noahide laws, as per Rebbe Schneerson's Noahide campaign.

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