About Chabad-Lubavitch

The Philosophy

Chabad-Lubavitch is a philosophy and a movement. It is considered to be the most dynamic force in Jewish life today... and for good reasons.

The word "Chabad" is a Hebrew acronym for the three intellectual faculties of: Chochmah-wisdom, Binah-understanding, and Da'at-knowledge. The movement's system of Jewish religious philosophy, the deepest dimension of G‑d's Torah, teaches understanding and recognition of the Creator, the role and purpose of Creation, and the importance and unique mission of each Creature. This philosophy guides a person to refine and govern his or her every act and feeling through wisdom, comprehension and knowledge.

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

The Movement

Following its inception ca. 1776, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement — a branch of Chassidism — swept through Russia and spread in surrounding regions as well. It provided scholars with answers that eluded them and simple farmers with a love that had been denied of them. Eventually, the philosophy of Chabad-Lubavitch and its adherents reached almost every corner of the world and affected almost every facet of Jewish life.

Leadership

The movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders ("Rebbes"), beginning with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, of righteous memory (1745-1812). These leaders expounded upon the most refined and delicate aspects of Jewish mysticism, creating a corpus of study thousands of books strong. They personified the age-old, Biblical qualities of piety and leadership. And they concerned themselves not only with Chabad-Lubavitch, but with the spiritual and physical well-being of every single Jew. No person or detail was too small or insignificant for their love and dedication.

In our generation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), known simply as "the Rebbe," guided post-Holocaust Jewry to safety and spiritual renaissance from the ravages of the recent devastation.

The Revolution

The origins of today's Chabad revolution can be traced to the early 1940's when the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950) appointed his son-in-law and later successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, to head the newly-founded educational and social service arms of the movement.

Motivated by his profound love for every Jew and spurred by his boundless optimism and self-sacrifice, the Rebbe set into motion a dazzling array of programs, services and institutions to serve every Jew.

Today, over 4,000 full-time emissary families apply 225 year-old principles and philosophy to direct more than 3,300 institutions (and a workforce that numbers in the tens of thousands) dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish people and humanity worldwide.

 

Chabad at UCLA is...


  • A Jewish student center providing social, educational, recreational, and spiritual programming for students.
  • A home where all Jews are welcome, regardless of affiliation, denomination or level of observance.
  • A place where students can socialize in a comfortable, home-like setting, with friends, food and discussion.
  • An institution where you can question your faith without fear of judgment.
  • A haven when you are stressed or lonely, and need a friend to lean on.
  • A center for prayer and study, where you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of your Jewish heritage.
  • A partnership between students and staff to help create student programming, raise Israel awareness, plan social action projects, raise women's issues, promote health awareness activities and offer volunteer opportunities.
  • A resource for Jewish life cycle events.
  • A community for all Jewish students, with opportunities to enrich their experiences in all aspects of their college career.
  • A knowledge center for non-Jews interested in the 7 Noahide Laws.
  •  A Jewish center for the entire UCLA community.

Remember - Chabad House @ UCLA is "Your Jewish Home Away from Home!"