Simply put, Chabad's mission is to reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness. We’re a community-based nonprofit organization whose efforts are rooted in traditional Jewish values -- and many of our programs help the needy regardless of background or belief.

Chabad came to California four decades ago, and now runs the largest network of nonsectarian educational and social services under Jewish auspices on the West Coast. [In addition to our network of more than 200 local Community Centers, we operate more than 25 elementary and day schools, plus 30 summer camps.] Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve been able to educate, comfort, and give hope to countless people in need.

West Coast Chabad Lubavitch is part of the largest Jewish organization in the world, with over 2,700 branches spanning the globe. Chabad embraces a philosophy of study, meditation, and social outreach that combines rigorous academics with proactive community involvement. Our rapidly growing array of educational and social services programs has made us one of the most dynamic forces in modern Jewish life. “Chabad” is a Hebrew acronym for “Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge,” and Lubavitch is the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century. (The word “Lubavitch” actually means “brotherly love,” which is emblematic of the love and dedication that characterizes Chabad Lubavitch and its representatives.) [Founded in 1772 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Chabad promotes the mystical, traditional, legal and social principles of the Torah -- while using modern methods and technology for education, community outreach, youth programs, crisis intervention, and other social services.]

Chabad has consistently been at the forefront of Jewish education and community activism. The work of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe who assumed leadership of the movement in 1950, is legendary. Motivated by a profound love for humanity and spurred by boundless optimism, the Rebbe lifted the global Jewish community from the ashes of the Holocaust and launched an unprecedented range of Jewish institutions, outreach programs and social services.

About Chabad Lubavitch

Chabad-Lubavitch, with over 2,700 international branches, is the largest Jewish organization in the world today.

Founded in 1772 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi,“Chabad”—a Hebrew acronym for “Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge”— is a philosophy of study, meditation, and social outreach that bridges rigorous academics with proactive community involvement. Lubavitch is the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century. The Russian word “Lubavitch” means “brotherly love,”emblematic of the love and dedication that characterizes Chabad-Lubavitch and its emissaries worldwide.

Chabad-Lubavitch promotes the mystical, traditional, legal and social principles of the Torah while using the most modern methods and advanced technologies for education, community outreach, Jewish awareness, crisis intervention, children’s and adults’ programs, summer camps, and community activities.

Inspired by seven generations of illustrious leaders beginning with Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Chabad- Lubavitch has consistently been at the forefront of Jewish education and community activism. The work of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who assumed leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch in 1950, is legendary.Motivated by a profound love for humanity and spurred by boundless optimism and dedication, the Rebbe lifted the global Jewish community from the ashes of the Holocaust, launching an unprecedented range of Jewish institutions, outreach programs and social services.

Today, more than 4,600 of the Rebbe’s emissaries and a workforce of more than 20,000 continue and expand the Rebbe’s mission to create a world of goodness, kindness and G–dliness, as Chabad- Lubavitch constantly innovates new approaches in educational, social and community services throughout the world.

• In 1995, the Lubavitcher Rebbe was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, an honor bestowed to only 100 Americans since Thomas Jefferson, for “outstanding and lasting contributions toward improvements in world education, morality, and acts of charity.”

• Since 1994,Chabad-Lubavitch has nearly doubled in size to over 2,700 branches around the world; in 2003,more than 150 new Chabad-Lubavitch centers were established.