Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Israel

Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Israel (Hebrew: צעירי אגודת חב"ד בישראל, often shortened to Tzeirei Chabad or Tza"ch) is the central outreach and educational organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Israel. Founded in 1951 (Hebrew year 5711) at the direction of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, it serves as the operational arm for the movement's ideological and social activities in the country. Its stated goals include "bringing hearts closer, transmitting the heritage of Israel to children, youth and adults, spreading the teachings of Chabad Hasidism, and providing aid and assistance to the needy." The organization is identified with the moderate wing of Chabad. The organization is headquartered at Kfar Chabad and, as of 2024, operates approximately 480 Chabad Houses across Israel with about 1,300 emissaries (shluchim) and thousands of volunteers. It oversees a wide range of activities: holiday campaigns (mobile sukkahs, Hanukkah menorahs and candles, Purim gift packages, Passover matzah), educational institutions (elementary and secondary schools, colleges, seminaries, yeshivas, and kollels), social welfare programs for the elderly, the sick, prisoners, terror victims, and new immigrants, as well as publishing and media operations. Tzeirei Chabad publishes several weekly and holiday pamphlets, including "Sichat HaShavua" (edited by Menachem Brod), "Parasha," "Hitkashrut," and a children's leaflet "Mamtak LeShabbat." It also runs a publishing house that has produced numerous books on Chabad teachings, Jewish law, and holidays. The organization's Russian-language department has published the weekly "Voskhod" since 1984, along with holiday pamphlets and books for Russian-speaking immigrants. Leadership has evolved over the decades. Rabbi Israel Leibov headed the organization for many years. In 1987, Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov was appointed director-general, and in 1989 the Rebbe also appointed him chairman. In 2015, Aharonov was convicted of criminal offenses and imprisoned; the organization underwent a lengthy recovery process that concluded in 2018, during which members were replaced and some assets sold to cover debts. Currently, Michael Dor, Gershon Shnur, and Arik Lipsker lead the organization. The organization is a registered non-profit (amuta) in Israel and is affiliated with the global Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Its website, chabad.org.il, serves as a portal for Jewish learning, holiday information, Chabad House locations, and charitable giving.

Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Israel was established in 1951 (Hebrew year 5711) by directive of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who instructed Agudas Chasidei Chabad to create the organization as an executive arm for the movement's ideological path in Israel. The Rebbe wanted all Chabad Hasidim in Israel to be members and to operate within its framework, and the Chabad rabbinical court ruled that all activities of Chabad Houses in Israel would be subject to Tza"ch. Over time, it became the central and dominant organization of the movement in Israel. The organization took responsibility for a wide range of activities: transmitting Jewish heritage, spreading Chabad Hasidism, providing aid to the needy and lonely, encouraging families of terror victims, and running campaigns such as the Chernobyl Children project. In 1984 (Hebrew year 5744), the Aliyah and Absorption Department began publishing the weekly Russian-language pamphlet "Voskhod" (Восхождение), along with holiday pamphlets, Jewish educational materials, and a calendar with laws and customs. The department also published books in Russian. A klezmer band sponsored by Tzeirei Chabad performed for immigrants in Israel, led by Rabbi Meir Verzov for nearly twenty years. In 1987 (Hebrew year 5747), Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov was appointed director-general, and in 1989 (Hebrew year 5749) the Rebbe also appointed him chairman. He served in these roles until 2015, when he was convicted of criminal offenses and imprisoned. The organization then underwent a lengthy recovery process (2015–2018) during which members were replaced and some assets were sold to cover debts. Since 2018, Michael Dor, Gershon Shnur, and Arik Lipsker have led the organization. As of 2024, the organization operates approximately 480 Chabad Houses in Israel with about 1,300 emissaries and thousands of volunteers. Its national headquarters, Merkaz Tzeirei Chabad, is located in Kfar Chabad. The organization continues to run educational institutions, social welfare programs, holiday campaigns, and publishing operations, including the weekly pamphlets "Sichat HaShavua," "Parasha," "Hitkashrut," and the children's leaflet "Mamtak LeShabbat."

• 2018

  Recovery process concludes; new leadership installed.

• 2015

  Aharonov convicted and imprisoned; organization enters recovery process.

• 2002

  Terror Victims Department established during the Second Intifada.

• 1989

  Aharonov also appointed chairman by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

• 1987

  Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov appointed director-general.

• 1984

  Aliyah and Absorption Department begins publishing the Russian-language weekly "Voskhod."

• 1951

  Founded by directive of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

The central outreach and educational organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Israel, identified with its moderate wing.

• Sichat HaShavua

  Weekly pamphlet edited by Menachem Brod.

• Parasha

  Weekly pamphlet.

• Hitkashrut

  Weekly booklet distributed mainly in Chabad centers.

• Mamtak LeShabbat

  Children's leaflet, printed inside Sichat HaShavua since 2022.

• Voskhod (Восхождение)

  Russian-language weekly published since 1984.

• Sichat HaChag

  Holiday pamphlet published since 2001.

1. 1חב"דchabad.org.il
2. 2Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Israel - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3צעירי אגודת חב"ד בישראל - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org