Chabad-Lubavitch: A Global Lifeline for Jewish Communities and Travelers

Remote Chabad Locations Serving Local Jewish Communities and Tourists.

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Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the most influential and far-reaching Jewish organizations in the world, renowned for its unwavering dedication to ensuring that Jewish life and practice can flourish everywhere, from bustling cities to the most remote corners of the globe. Established in the 18th century as a Hasidic movement, Chabad has grown exponentially, with its outreach philosophy rooted in love, acceptance, and the belief that every Jew should have access to their heritage, regardless of their geographic location.

By 2023, Chabad had established over 3,500 institutions and 5,000 centers spanning across 100 countries. These centers are known as “Chabad Houses,” and they serve as vibrant hubs for Jewish life. From major metropolitan areas like New York and Paris to distant and exotic locations like the Galápagos Islands and Iceland, Chabad provides essential services such as kosher food, Torah education, Shabbat and holiday observances, and life-cycle events.

What makes Chabad unique is its willingness to go where few Jewish institutions dare, often establishing a presence in areas with few local Jews but significant numbers of Jewish tourists, backpackers, or expatriates. Whether a Jew is visiting a tropical island for a holiday, trekking through the Himalayas, or working on a business trip in an unfamiliar country, they can count on Chabad for support, a home-cooked meal, and a welcoming community to celebrate Shabbat or Jewish holidays.

Chabad’s mission goes beyond just religious services. It offers a lifeline for Jews in need, providing humanitarian aid, education, counseling, and community programs. In more isolated locations, Chabad is often the sole Jewish institution, preserving the flame of Jewish life for locals and visitors alike.

For those embarking on journeys or living far from Jewish population centers, Chabad’s global network is an invaluable resource, ensuring that Jewish life thrives—wherever life may take you.

Chabad’s global presence has become a testament to the movement’s commitment to ensuring that Judaism remains accessible and vibrant in every corner of the world.

Remote Islands and Vacation Destinations

1. Maldives
   • Services: Known for its luxurious resorts, Chabad in the Maldives serves Jewish tourists with kosher meals, Shabbat and holiday services, and provides a Jewish presence in this Muslim-majority nation.
   • Website: Chabad Maldives
2. Bahamas
   • Services: Chabad in Nassau provides a full range of Jewish services, including Shabbat meals, holiday celebrations, and kosher dining options, including at the popular Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. It also assists Jewish tourists with guidance on keeping kosher during their stay.
   • Website: Chabad Bahamas
3. Cayman Islands
   • Services: Chabad offers Jewish tourists kosher meals, Shabbat and holiday services, and a welcoming Jewish atmosphere. It also organizes events for the Jewish community in the Cayman Islands.
   • Website: Chabad Cayman Islands
4. Fiji
   • Services: In this remote South Pacific location, Chabad provides kosher food and holiday services for Jewish travelers exploring the islands. It’s also a hub for Jewish life in a sparsely populated Jewish region.
   • Website: Chabad Fiji
5. Seychelles
   • Services: Chabad in the Seychelles offers kosher meals, Shabbat services, and holiday celebrations for tourists and Jewish residents alike, ensuring visitors have access to Jewish community life while in this tropical paradise.
   • Website: Chabad Seychelles
6. Aruba
   • Services: Chabad offers kosher dining, Shabbat services, and festive Jewish holiday celebrations in Aruba, welcoming Jewish tourists visiting the Caribbean Island.
   • Website: Chabad Aruba

Africa

1. Kenya (Nairobi)
   • Services: Chabad Nairobi serves the local Jewish community and tourists with kosher meals, Torah classes, holiday services, and assistance with Jewish life-cycle events. It is a significant hub for Jewish travelers exploring East Africa.
   • Website: Chabad Kenya
2. Zambia (Lusaka)
   • Services: Provides Shabbat meals, holiday services, and kosher food for tourists visiting Victoria Falls and surrounding areas. Chabad in Zambia also works with local Jewish residents to maintain Jewish life in this remote area.
   • Website: Chabad Zambia
3. Ghana (Accra)
   • Services: Chabad offers Torah study, kosher meals, Shabbat services, and Jewish holiday celebrations, catering to Jewish businesspeople and travelers in Ghana’s capital.
   • Website: Chabad Ghana
4. Uganda
   • Services: Although a small Jewish population exists, Chabad provides Jewish travelers with kosher food, holiday services, and a welcoming atmosphere in Kampala.
   • Website: Chabad Uganda

Asia

1. Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi)
   • Services: These centers offer kosher food, Shabbat meals, Torah classes, holiday services, and assistance with Jewish life-cycle events for tourists and expatriates living in Vietnam.
   • Website: Chabad Vietnam
2. Cambodia (Siem Reap)
   • Services: Located near Angkor Wat, this Chabad house provides Shabbat services, kosher meals, and holiday celebrations for tourists visiting Cambodia’s major attractions.
   • Website: Chabad Cambodia
3. Nepal (Kathmandu)
   • Services: Famous for its large Passover Seder, Chabad Kathmandu is a haven for Jewish backpackers and adventurers, providing kosher meals, Shabbat services, holiday events, and a warm community.
   • Website: Chabad Nepal
4. Thailand (Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai)
   • Services: Thailand’s Chabad houses are known for serving thousands of Jewish tourists, offering kosher meals, Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, and help with Jewish life-cycle events.
   • Website: Chabad Thailand
5. Myanmar (Yangon)
   • Services: A small Chabad presence offering kosher meals, Shabbat services, and community events for travelers and local Jews in Yangon.
   • Website: Chabad Myanmar
6. Laos (Luang Prabang)
   • Services: Recently established to serve Jewish tourists exploring Southeast Asia, Chabad in Laos offers kosher meals and holiday services.
   • Website: Chabad Laos

South America

1. Ecuador (Quito & Galápagos Islands)
   • Services: Serving Jewish travelers with kosher meals, Shabbat services, and holiday events, particularly for those visiting the Amazon and Galápagos Islands.
   • Website: Chabad Ecuador
2. Peru (Cusco)
   • Services: Located near Machu Picchu, Chabad Cusco provides kosher meals, Shabbat services, and holiday celebrations, making it a key destination for Jewish backpackers.
   • Website: Chabad Cusco
3. Bolivia (La Paz)
   • Services: Chabad offers kosher meals, Shabbat services, and holiday programming for Jewish tourists visiting the Andes or traveling through Bolivia.
   • Website: Chabad Bolivia
4. Colombia (Cartagena)
   • Services: Provides kosher food, Shabbat meals, and holiday services for tourists visiting Cartagena, a popular tourist destination.
   • Website: Chabad Colombia

Europe (Unexpected Locations)

1. Iceland (Reykjavik)
   • Services: Chabad offers Jewish tourists kosher meals, Shabbat services, and holiday events in Reykjavik, despite Iceland’s small Jewish population.
   • Website: Chabad Iceland
2. Gibraltar
   • Services: Chabad in Gibraltar supports the local Jewish community with holiday services, kosher meals, and Jewish education. It also serves tourists passing through this strategic territory.
   • Website: Chabad Gibraltar
3. Faroe Islands
   • Services: Occasional Chabad visits offer support for Jewish tourists seeking kosher food and services in this remote North Atlantic archipelago.
   • Website: Chabad Faroe Islands

Oceania

1. New Zealand (Auckland & Queenstown)
   • Services: Chabad New Zealand provides kosher food, Shabbat meals, holiday celebrations, and Jewish education for the local Jewish population and tourists exploring New Zealand’s natural wonders.
   • Website: Chabad New Zealand
2. Papua New Guinea
   • Services: While there is no permanent Chabad house, Jewish travelers can often find Chabad emissaries visiting to assist with Jewish needs such as kosher food and Shabbat services.
   • Website: Chabad Papua New Guinea

Central America

1. Costa Rica (San José)
   • Services: Chabad serves locals and Jewish tourists with Shabbat meals, kosher food, and holiday services, especially in eco-tourism areas.
   • Website: Chabad Costa Rica
2. Panama (Bocas del Toro)
   • Services: Provides kosher meals, Shabbat services, and Jewish holiday celebrations for tourists visiting Panama’s popular Caribbean islands.
   • Website: Chabad Panama

Chabad’s vast global network ensures that Jewish life not only survives but thrives, even in the most far-flung and unexpected places. Through its wide range of spiritual and practical services, Chabad provides essential support to both local communities and travelers, enabling them to uphold their traditions and strengthen their faith, no matter where they find themselves in the world

Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide