What is Chabad?

Under the Leadership and guidance of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, Chabad of South Hills is part of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movment.

Chabad of South Hills was established in 1998 and is dedicated to increasing the awareness, knowledge and observance of Judaism throughout the South Hills area.

The word Lubavitch is the name of the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century. Appropriately, in Russian, the word Lubavitch means “city of brotherly love.” The name Lubavitch conveys the essence of the responsibility and love engendered by the Chabad philosophy toward every single Jew.

Following its inception 250 years ago, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement - a branch of Hasidism - grew throughout Russia and spread to surrounding countries. It provided Jewish scholars with answers that eluded them, and all Jews, with a love that had been seemingly denied them. Eventually the philosophy of Chabad-Lubavitch and its adherents reached almost every corner of the world impacting every facet of Jewish life.

Chabad of South Hills is part of more than 3,500 outreach and educational centres serving world Jewry and the broader community.

Chabad provides spiritual and Jewish academic leadership in an open, accessible way for all people. It is open to all Jews, regardless of how orthodox they may or may not be.

Chabad has a completely "open door" policy - there is no membership fees for attending High Holy Days (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) or any services or programs. Many of our programs are free of charge or offered at reduced fees for those people facing financial challenges.

Chabad of South Hills is a focal point for Jewish education and Jewish continuity, but more importantly, it provides the opportunity to experience first-hand the vitality and relevance of Judaism as it is lived today. Participants experience the joy and celebration, the intimacy and compassion, the wisdom and knowledge that is inherent in Jewish life and learning.

Chabad of South Hills is a full service organization responding to both the material and spiritual needs of the South Hills Jewish community. Through programs, classes, counseling, celebrations and worship, Chabad uses every tool to bring the message of Judaism to children, teens, adults and seniors.

Chabad of South Hills is an energetic, effective and essential adversary to the forces of assimilation and intermarriage that threaten the Jewish community. To this end, through its many community and outreach programs, it has touched the lives of thousands of Jews and people of many faiths.