Chabad-Lubavitch is a Chasidic movement in Orthodox Judaism, founded in the late 18th century by Shneur Zalman of Liadi. It is the largest Jewish organisation in the world today. In the Chabad houses, the Shaliach and Shalucha (rabbi and his wife) host programs, activities, and services for the local Jewish community and for tourists.
The name “Chabad” is an acronym for Chochmah, Binah, Da’at: “Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge”. The Lubavitch branch takes its name from Lyubavichi, the Russian town where the group was based until the early 20th century. “Lubavitch” is the only major extant branch of a family of Hasidic groups once known collectively as the Chabad movement; th
Chabad Houses are centres for disseminating Orthodox Judaism by the Chabad movement, run by the local Shaliach who has been was sent to that place by the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Today these centres function around the world and provide educational and outreach activities to entire Jewish communities, regardless of any given person’s degree of observance. Each centre aims to offer a cosy and informal place to learn about and observe Judaism, and makes all Jews feel welcome at Chabad events.