What is Chabad, really? Chabad-Lubavitch is a religious Jewish movement that began in the 18th century and survived brutal persecution under Czarist and Communist regimes. Its leaders were imprisoned and targeted for keeping Jewish life alive. After the Holocaust, Chabad rebuilt Jewish communities around the world, focused on education, charity, and caring for Jews wherever they are. Today, Chabad runs over 3,500 institutions in over 100 countries. It is a religious community, not a political mo