Tzivos Hashem

Tzivos Hashem, whose Hebrew name means “Armies of God,” is a youth-focused organization associated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Based in Brooklyn, New York, it was established in 1980 as an organized framework for involving children in Jewish learning, religious observance, community activities, and acts of kindness. Rather than operating primarily as a commercial consumer brand, Tzivos Hashem functions as an educational and community brand whose identity is expressed through programs, publications, rallies, awards, and service initiatives. The organization developed from a broader Chabad campaign for Jewish education launched by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1976. That initiative mobilized Chabad followers to visit schools and homes, reach children, and encourage participation in Jewish traditions. The educational campaign also introduced the use of the Twelve Verses and recurring children's rallies. In 1980, the campaign was developed into a more structured youth movement under the Tzivos Hashem name. Early activities included a matzah-ball contest connected with Passover, a large Lag BaOmer parade, and an initiative encouraging children to attend synagogue for the public reading of the Ten Commandments. Tzivos Hashem uses a mission-and-achievement system to make participation tangible for children. Members are encouraged to complete activities involving charity, prayer, Jewish learning, holiday observance, and helpful behavior. Accomplishments can earn points, medals, prizes, and promotions through a hierarchy modeled on military ranks, beginning with Private and extending through higher ranks such as Sergeant and General, with Five Star General described as the highest rank. The terminology reflects the organization's concept of children as active participants in Jewish life rather than passive recipients of instruction. Monthly gatherings, commonly referred to as Chayolei Tzivos Hashem rallies, provide a communal setting in which children celebrate progress, encounter holiday and educational themes, and receive recognition for completed missions. These events may combine songs, storytelling, video material, games, and presentations. The format is designed to reinforce Jewish values in an age-appropriate and participatory way, while also connecting local children with the wider Chabad educational network. The organization's publications extend this educational model beyond in-person activities. Its magazine portfolio has included HaChayol, aimed particularly at children in the Chabad community; Tzivos Hashem KIDS!, distributed through Chabad Houses and intended for a broader Jewish youth audience; and Moshiach Times, a more widely read children's magazine featuring illustrated and educational content. These publications use stories, artwork, puzzles, religious themes, and practical activities to maintain engagement between programs and rallies. Tzivos Hashem has also undertaken humanitarian work focused on Jewish children and families. Reported activities include operating or supporting orphanages in Ukraine, medical clinics, food pantries, winter clothing distribution, and summer-camp assistance through its Jewish Children's Fund. The organization is therefore positioned at the intersection of youth education, religious outreach, community building, media, and child welfare. Its principal audience has historically included Orthodox Jewish children, although its educational outreach has also sought to engage children from non-Orthodox and less affiliated Jewish backgrounds. The available reference material does not establish a separate commercial corporate structure, public listing, current executive roster, or official website.

Tzivos Hashem emerged from Chabad-Lubavitch's intensified focus on children's Jewish education in the 1970s. On May 22, 1976, the Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated a broad Jewish education campaign known as Mivtza Chinuch. Chabad followers subsequently visited schools and homes in different countries, reaching large numbers of Jewish children and encouraging participation in religious learning and practice. During this period, the Twelve Verses were selected for children to recite, and periodic children's rallies became an important educational and communal format. The movement's work with children became more programmatic in 1980. On April 15 of that year, the Lubavitcher Rebbe announced a new children's campaign that began with preparations for Passover. Its activities included a matzah-ball contest reported to have involved more than 50,000 children. The campaign continued with a Lag BaOmer parade described as attracting more than 20,000 participants, followed by an initiative encouraging every child to attend a synagogue for the reading of the Ten Commandments on Shavuot. Children's rallies were held frequently during the summer. Tzivos Hashem was established in this context as a named youth framework within Chabad-Lubavitch. The organization's model combines religious education with incentives and public recognition. Children undertake missions connected with prayer, charity, kindness, Jewish holidays, and other forms of observance. Progress is recorded through points and awards, and participants can advance through ranks modeled on a military structure. This system gives children a defined identity and a sense of progression while translating abstract values into recurring activities that can be completed at home, in school, or in community settings. Rallies became a central expression of the organization. Chayolei Tzivos Hashem gatherings allow participants to celebrate achievements collectively and to encounter educational material through songs, stories, videos, holiday programming, and presentations. The events also serve a social function by linking children to local Chabad institutions and to a broader international movement. Tzivos Hashem expanded its reach through children's media. HaChayol has served children within the Chabad community, while Tzivos Hashem KIDS! has been distributed through Chabad Houses for a wider audience. Moshiach Times has had a broader readership and has used illustrated stories and features to present Jewish themes in an accessible format. Reference material identifies illustrators and cartoonists including Al Jaffee, David Berg, and Joe Kubert as contributors to the magazine's illustrated content, but does not provide a complete publication chronology. Beyond education and media, Tzivos Hashem has participated in humanitarian work affecting Jewish children. Reported activities include orphanages in Ukraine, medical clinics, food pantries, winter clothing assistance, and summer-camp subsidies administered through its Jewish Children's Fund. One cited description states that food pantries serve approximately 800 people each month, although no financial or independently audited operating data is provided in the available material. Today, Tzivos Hashem is described as having a prominent presence in schools and Chabad communities worldwide, with primary activity among Orthodox Jewish children. Its historical mission, however, has included promoting Jewish customs and practices among both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jewish children. The supplied sources do not establish a current named chief executive, legal corporate parent, official website, public-company status, or a definitive account of the organization's present administrative structure.

• 1980

  Creation of Tzivos Hashem

  [1]Tzivos Hashemen.wikipedia.org

  Tzivos Hashem was established as a structured youth group within the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, building on earlier children's education campaigns.

• 1980

  Large-scale children's campaign activities

  [1]Tzivos Hashemen.wikipedia.org

  Early activities included a Passover matzah-ball contest, a major Lag BaOmer parade, and a Shavuot synagogue-attendance initiative centered on the reading of the Ten Commandments.

• 1976

  Launch of the Jewish education campaign

  [1]Tzivos Hashemen.wikipedia.org

  Chabad-Lubavitch launched Mivtza Chinuch, an international campaign that mobilized followers to reach children through schools, homes, rallies, and Jewish educational activities.

A child-centered Jewish education and community organization associated with Chabad-Lubavitch, using missions, recognition, publications, and communal events to make Jewish practice and charitable behavior engaging for children.

• Youth education program

  Missions program

  The missions program gives children recurring tasks related to Jewish learning, prayer, charity, holiday observance, and acts of kindness. Completion can generate points, medals, prizes, and rank promotions, creating a structured pathway for participation and recognition.

• Community event program

  Chayolei Tzivos Hashem rallies

  These recurring children's gatherings celebrate completed missions and reinforce Jewish values through holiday themes, songs, storytelling, videos, awards, and interactive educational activities. They provide both communal recognition and a shared connection to Chabad institutions.

• Children's magazine

  Moshiach Times

  Moshiach Times is a children's publication associated with Tzivos Hashem. It has been described as having a broad readership and uses illustrated features and educational material to present Jewish themes to young readers.

• Children's magazine

  HaChayol

  HaChayol is a magazine focused particularly on children within the Chabad community. Its content supports Chabad traditions and values through stories, activities, illustrations, and age-appropriate Jewish education.

• Children's magazine

  Tzivos Hashem KIDS!

  Tzivos Hashem KIDS! is distributed through Chabad Houses and is intended to reach a broad audience of Jewish children. It extends the organization's educational and engagement work beyond local meetings and rallies.

• Humanitarian service

  Jewish children's welfare services

  Reported welfare activities include support for orphanages in Ukraine, medical clinics, food pantries, winter clothing, and summer-camp subsidies for children and families in need.

• 1980Children's Passover and holiday campaign

  International Chabad communities

  The 1980 campaign used Passover preparations, a matzah-ball contest, Lag BaOmer activities, and a Shavuot synagogue initiative to engage children in Jewish observance.

  Outcome. The campaign was associated with large participation, including a reported audience of more than 50,000 children for the matzah-ball contest and more than 20,000 participants at the Lag BaOmer parade.

  Source
• 1976Mivtza Chinuch

  International

  Chabad's Jewish education campaign sent followers to schools and homes to engage children in Jewish learning and practice. It supplied the educational and organizational foundation from which Tzivos Hashem later developed.

  Outcome. The campaign reached children across multiple communities and helped establish rallies and shared educational materials as recurring elements of Chabad youth outreach.

  Source

1. 1Tzivos Hashemen.wikipedia.org