Colel Chabad was established in 1788 and has operated without interruption ever since.
As such it is the oldest continuously operating Tzedakah network in Israel.
History of Colel Chabad
Established in 1788 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Colel Chabad is the oldest continuously operating Tzedakah network in Israel.
When you donate to Israeli charities like Colel Chabad, you’re making a difference in the biggest way possible. There are many ways to donate to the poor in Israel, with countless Israeli charitable organizations and groups supporting important causes. But none compare to the prominence, status, or far-reaching impact as Colel Chabad.
Keep reading to learn the history of Colel Chabad and how we continue to make a difference in so many lives.
Important People in Colel Chabad’s History
Colel Chabad maintains a long history of service to the Jewish community, led by generations upon generations of leaders who have played a pivotal role in establishing its impact on the world at large.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi was a prominent leader and scholar of Hasidic Judaism. He is best known for his teachings on Jewish mysticism fundamentals, which helped shape the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was born in 1745 in what is now Belarus and died, after a long and distinguished career, in 1812.
Rebbe Menachem Mendel
Rebbe Menachem Mendel was the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty. Born in 1902, he followed in the steps of prominent leaders like Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak Schneersohn, who were instrumental in the establishment of Colel Chabad. Under Rebbe Menachem Mendel’s leadership, the organization expanded its services to become one of the most prominent Israel charities throughout world Jewry.
Commemorative Resource
Shabbos Parshas Behaalosecha 5751, the Rebbe dedicated a sicha to the Colel Chabad melaveh malkah that was to be held that night. In the sicha, the Rebbe highlighted the unique connection between Colel Chabad being like the Menorah in the Beis HaMikdosh.
In commemoration, we are reprinting the initial synopsis of the sicha along with its full transcript.
How Colel Chabad Makes a Difference
Colel Chabad’s unique charitable programs provide holistic aid to people facing adversity, regardless of their age, gender, background, or degree of religious observance. Online donations and ongoing fundraising efforts enable us to provide local individuals, families, and new immigrants with the resources they need to build a better future.
Initiatives We Pursue
Since its inception, Colel Chabad has been the guiding light that Israel charity organizations strive to follow. We provide aid for those suffering from poverty, illness, or disaster-related destruction; help cover medical bills; assist with payment for necessities such as food and clothing; provide educational opportunities; interest-free loans and much more.
We also promote Jewish culture by supporting various programs related to the observance of Shabbat, holiday celebrations, synagogue activities, and educational programs.
Nutrition Security
Colel Chabad is committed to providing nutritious food to those in need throughout Israel. We deliver monthly pantry packages to 10,800 households and special holiday pantry deliveries to 22,500 homes. Each box contains a variety of food items that are tailored specifically for each family’s needs.
Widows and Orphans
This support helps widows and orphans cover the costs of necessities such as food, clothing, and other expenses. Colel Chabad’s annual mass Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations for fatherless children are another way we seek to go above and beyond for those without a patriarch.
Medical Services
Colel Chabad provides financial aid to low-income families who cannot pay for medical care and treatments. We operate Israel’s only two centers for multiple sclerosis patients, in addition to several in-hospital summer camps and holiday celebrations for hospitalized children.
Childcare
Our network of 16 daycare centers supports working parents, providing high-quality childcare at a reasonable cost.
Additional Israeli Charity Donor Services
Choosing to donate to Jewish charities is a meaningful and impactful way to make an impact in the lives of those in need. Colel Chabad offers additional donor services such as Kaddish, Luach, Pushka, and special prayers for loved ones that you can request online through our website.
Colel Chabad Is a Charity for Israel
Colel Chabad’s mission is to provide economic support to those that need it. Our non-profit Jewish organization embodies the fundamentals of the faith. It reinforces the Jewish charity values of Tikkun Olam and Chesed – repairing the world and performing acts of kindness. In offering Chabad donation and tzedakah donation programs, we work to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Israel have access to the resources they need to live with dignity and stability.
Donate to Israel; Make a Real Difference
Colel Chabad is one of the most impactful Jewish charities in Israel, operating 22 free restaurants throughout local communities, providing accessible dental care, supplying thousands of meals to the elderly and poor, and coordinating tens of thousands of monthly pantry deliveries to needy households throughout the year. We also help individuals obtain interest-free loans and support underprivileged couples with subsidized wedding ceremonies.
If you’ve been searching for Jewish organizations to donate to, look no further. Colel Chabad is among the best charities to support Israel and its people. Please inquire about our tzedakah donation programs or contact us for more information on how you can help support Israel through Chabad donation today.