Chabad Albania
Chabad-Lubavitch organisation serving the Jewish community in Albania
| Chabad of Albania
| |
|---|---|
| Type | Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish outreach organisation |
| Founder(s) | Rabbi Yoel Kaplan |
| Headquarters | Tirana, Albania |
| Location | Helmut Kohl 1, Sauk, Tirana |
| Key people | Rabbi Yoel Kaplan (Rabbi of Albania) David Isaac (President) |
| Website | chabadalbania.com |
Chabad of Albania (also known as Chabad Jewish Center of Albania) is a branch of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement operating in Albania.[1]
It serves the small local Jewish community and Jewish visitors, providing religious services, education, and support from its centre in Tirana.[1]
Rabbi Yoel Kaplan was appointed as the first Chief Rabbi of Albania in 2010.[2]
History
In December 2010, Rabbi Yoel Kaplan, previously serving as Chabad representative in Thessaloniki, Greece, was formally installed as Chief Rabbi of Albania in a ceremony at the Moshe Rabbeinu Synagogue in Tirana, attended by Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Albanian officials.[2]
The appointment marked a new chapter for the small Albanian Jewish community, estimated at around 150–250 indigenous Jews at the time.[2]
JNS reported in 2023 that Kaplan has also been the Chabad emissary to Kosovo since 2011; see Chabad Lubavitch of Kosovo.[3]
Activities
Chabad of Albania offers synagogue services, Torah learning classes, Shabbat and holiday celebrations, kosher accommodation, and community support.[1]
It also provides services such as tefillin and mezuzah checking, and supports visitors including through dental tourism coordination.[1]
The centre operates under the leadership of Rabbi Yoel Kaplan and President David Isaac.[1]
See also
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chabad Albania, Home ChabadAlbania.com, accessed June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chabad.org, Balkan Nation Installs First Chief Rabbi Chabad.org, 12 December 2010.
- ↑ Avi Kumar, Kosovo's tiny Jewish community aims to punch above its size JNS, republished by European Jewish Press, 7 February 2023, accessed 23 October 2026.