Who Are We?
Torah teachings whose credos encompass and enhance life's experiences.
Intellectually, we are meant to know and understand G‑d.
Emotionally , we can find relevant value and meaning in G‑d's Torah.
Functionally , we can actualize knowledge and feelings by practicing Judaism with an emphasis on unconditional love of our fellow and thus enjoy deep personal satisfaction and a profound sense of fulfillment and happiness.
The Chabad-Lubavitch movement is dedicated to spreading the wonders and rewards of Judaism throughout the world.
Our History Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1698-1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov, established the Chassidic movement. He emphasized the unique importance of every Jew, regardless of how Jewishly learned or observant they may or may not be. He taught that love of one's fellow Jew, devotion in prayer, whole-hearted sincerity and joy in Torah study, accompanied by the observance of Mitzvot, are the fundamental essences of serving G‑d.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, (1745-1812), known as the Alter (old) Rebbe, succeeded the Baal Shem Tov as the leader of the Chassidic Movement. He distilled the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov into a lucid, systematic, highly intellectual, yet practical philosophy that was called "Chabad" after the Hebrew acronym for "Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge".
The Alter Rebbe's teachings were preserved, developed and amplified by his successors, the subsequent Rebbes of Chabad. For 100 years the Rebbes lived in the Byellorussian village of Lubavitch, whose name, appropriately, means "town of love".
Each Rebbe was involved, at great personal sacrifice, in the struggles of the Jews of his time. Most suffered imprisonment, torture, or exile at the hands of the oppressive Tsarist, Communist and Nazi regimes.
In our generation, Chabad flourished in an unprecedented
way under the leadership of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem
Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory. His pragmatic
emphasis on translating ideas into deeds galvanized the
Jewish world with the message that all individuals are capable
of making a real difference and can help usher in the biblically
prophesized utopian Messianic era.
Young or old, learned or unlearned, liberal or conservative, the Rebbe accepted all as partners in the creation of a holy, perfect world.
Inspired by the Rebbe's towering personage and extraordinarily dynamic leadership following the Holocaust, Chabad has emerged as the largest and most dynamic religious, educational and social force in the Jewish world, impacting countless communities and individuals across the globe. Currently operating in nearly fifty countries on six continents, Chabad-Lubavitch International boasts more than three thousand branches, which include synagogues, schools, community and youth centres, social agencies, summer camps, soup kitchens, medical clinics and even non-sectarian drug rehabilitation centers.
Almost one million children are now being educated in Chabad schools, institutions, summer camps and extracurricular programs. Every year, the Chabad movement touches the lives of millions around the globe through a kaleidoscope of innovative programming for all ages.
In 1994, following the Rebbe's passing, pundits around the world predicted that the 250-year-old Chassidic movement could not survive without the Rebbe's charismatic and commanding physical presence. Instead, thank G‑d, the last decade has seen it grow faster than during his mortal lifetime.
Above all the other speculative causes, the primary reason for
Chabad's continued vitality is the Rebbe's army of "Shluchim"
(emissaries). An inspired force of more than 5,000 couples
comprised of smart, idealistic, young to middle-aged men and
women filled with zeal, energy and love of the Jewish people
plus a deep-rooted desire to make a difference. They dedicate
their lives to founding, developing and maintaining the Chabad outreach centres throughout the world.
There are currently 72 active Chabad-Lubavitch Centres in
Canada.
Our centres everywhere serve the social, educational and religious needs of all Jews no matter what their level of knowledge, observance or affiliation.
Internationally, the annual operating costs of the collective
Chabad "activities" approach the astounding figure of one
billion dollars (this does not include construction costs for new
and expanded facilities, which are usually tens of millions a year).
Most Chabad centres, including Chabad Lubavitch of the Maritimes, operate independently and raise their funds locally. Aside from seed money, we neither receive nor channel funds to any central organization.