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.

Today more than ever the destructive effects of drug and alcohol abuse threaten every facet of society. For people from all walks of life, drugs too often become a way of coping with unhappiness, loneliness, fear, and stress. The consequences of addiction on their lives -- and on the lives of those around them -- can be truly devastating.

Since 1972 thousands of men from all faiths, all races and all backgrounds have received successful treatment at the Chabad Residential Drug Treatment Center in Los Angeles -- America’s first nonsectarian rehab program run under Jewish auspices. The program has won lasting acclaim by achieving success rates well above the national avera.

Chabad views drug and alcohol abuse as a symptom of a deeper problem, and has designed a program that uses psychological therapy and a Twelve Step model to concentrate on the underlying issues that contribute to dependence. We focus on establishing a structure that promotes recovery and improves the quality of life, placing special significance on ethical and moral growth that is so vital to the development of personal integrity.

The goal of the Residential Drug Treatment Center is to give each client the foundation and motivation to lead a drug-free lifestyle as a confident, productive member of society. The Center works to ensure that each graduate has the tools to effectively cope with the psychological, environmental, emotional, and interpersonal triggers of relapse.

Website:  http://www.chabadrehab.com/

Average Annual Figures – 1972-2009

• 69 full-time clients • 1,560 units outpatient care • 9,314 hours individual psychotherapy • 9,868 hours group therapy • 2,756 hours job counseling • 13,780 hours physical activity • 19,345 units shelter • 58,035 meals served • 21 clinical staff • 23 auxiliary staff • Accreditation: National Institute on Drug Abuse, Washington, DC; L.A. County Drug Abuse Office

Take a Closer Look

Second Chance at Life

Larry King talks with Curb Your Enthusiasm director Tom Kramer about his miraculous recovery at the Chabad Residential Treatment Center.

Tom Arnold’s Visit

A Personal Story of Recovery

In 1956, Chabad-Lubavitch launched Gan Israel, an international network of summer camps, where children of all ages and walks of life learn to love their heritage while enjoying the best experience that camping offers.

In those days, enjoying a summer camp complete with sports, arts, crafts, and entertaining activities was a novelty reserved for children of families with means. When Chabad-Lubavitch founded its summer camps the guiding principle was that every child deserves to gain from the integration of education and camp activities and that no child should be left out. With strong support from communities worldwide, the majority of children currently attending Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps are on full or partial scholarship.

Gan Israel has grown into the world’s largest network of Jewish summer camps, with close to 98,000 children attending camps in North America, Europe, Australia, Russia, South America, and even Hong Kong. In Israel, 26,000 children attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in the summer of 2011.

Over 60% of children attending Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps are from unaffiliated Jewish homes. To this end, introductory classes and exciting programs present Judaism in a relaxed, user-friendly manner. In addition, a growing number of Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps are now equipped to aid children with special needs.

Today, Gan Israel offers much more than the traditional swimming and canoeing. Many camps now offer cyber art,wilderness survival, tennis, karate, and mountain biking. Special trips to theme parks, bowling and creative Shabbat overnights complement the spiritual programs that are the hallmark of Chabad-Lubavitch: Daily study and prayer, Jewish song and dance, ritual arts and crafts, and a wide variety of activities designed to generate interest and excitement in Jewish history, observance and the performance of good deeds.

• In the summer of 2011, more than 120,000 children attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps.

• More than 90% of the 8,500 counselors that staffed Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in 2011 attended Chabad-Lubavitch summer camps in their youth.

Take a Closer Look:

Summer Fun

Madeyln’s spectacular summer adventure.

Study and prayer is important, but when a person is in need of help, one must stop thinking and act. This approach has characterized Chabad-Lubavitch from its beginnings.

The first Chabad-Lubavitch crisis intervention efforts can be traced to the late 1700s, when Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch, actively urged Jewish communities in Europe to support impoverished communities in the land of Israel. He sent desperately needed financial support and encouraged many people to move to the Holy Land. In 1814 Chabad-Lubavitch led the reconstruction of the Jewish communities in White Russia that had been devastated by Napoleon’s war.

In the United States, Chabad-Lubavitch was actively involved in rescuing Jews from Europe, and in 1945, established a relief office for refugees in Paris, and initiated efforts to improve the welfare of Jewish farmers in rural America. Upon assuming leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch in 1950, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, greatly expanded Chabad-Lubavitch’s community activism and social services.

Now, through its over 4,000 international centers, Chabad-Lubavitch offers counseling services, hospital and prison chaplaincy, shelters and assistance for the homeless, free loan associations, burial assistance, free public seders, free Shabbat and holiday meals, hospitality services, soup kitchens, drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation, and other social services.

To this end, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries undergo preparation and training in counseling and crisis intervention. Every Chabad-Lubavitch emissary has an open heart and open home for those in need, available to the community and eager and willing to help.

• Established in 1774, Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the oldest charities and social services organizations in the world today.
• In 2003, Chabad-Lubavitch distributed more than 12 million meals to needy families around the world.

Take a Closer Look:

Feeding the Hungry

A short video about one of Chabad’s Feeding the Hungry programs.

Thanksgiving at the Hard Rock

Chabad participates in strengthening the community by offering assistance to those in need on the holiday.

Firefighters Welcome!

Chabad of California opens up the Running Springs retreat for weary Firefighters battling a wind swept wildfire.

Chabad is There For You

Molly Barlev tells the story of her father and how Chabad helped him in his time of need.