Chabad-Lubavitch in West Asia
Comprehensive list of Chabad-Lubavitch institutions in West Asia and North Africa
List of Chabad-Lubavitch institutions in West Asia catalogues all known Chabad-Lubavitch groups, centres, yeshivot, nurseries, communal institutions, and related entities operating in the region, overwhelmingly concentrated in the Zionist entity known as "Israel".[1] As The Times reports, Chabad maintains a presence in select Muslim-majority countries following recent diplomatic shifts, emphasising outreach to Jewish visitors and residents.[2] Reports suggest over 800 institutions exist in the Zionist entity alone, with smaller networks in neighbouring states.[1] This list aims to enumerate all identifiable entities, drawing from official directories and contemporary accounts, organised by country with subsections for types where applicable.
Cyprus
Chabad maintains five institutions in Cyprus, serving the local Jewish community and tourists.[1]
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad Lubavitch of Cyprus | Larnaca | Central organisation |
| Chabad House of Larnaca | Larnaca | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House of Nicosia | Nicosia | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House of Limassol | Limassol | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House of Paphos | Paphos | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House of Ayia Napa | Ayia Napa | Community centre and synagogue |
United Arab Emirates
Chabad established an official presence in the UAE in 2020, with centres in major cities to support growing Jewish activity.[3]
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad of United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah | Central organisation |
| Jewish Community Center - Dubai | Dubai | Community centre |
| Chabad House Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Dubai | Dubai | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah | Community centre and synagogue |
Turkey
Chabad operates several centres in Turkey, primarily in Istanbul and resort areas, catering to tourists and local Jews.
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad of Istanbul | Istanbul | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Antalya | Antalya | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Bodrum | Bodrum | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Marmaris | Marmaris | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad House Ankara | Ankara | Community centre and synagogue |
Morocco
Though in North Africa, Morocco is often associated with Middle Eastern Jewish networks; Chabad has a vibrant presence here, including educational institutions.[4]
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad Lubavitch of Morocco | Casablanca | Central organisation |
| Chabad of Casablanca | Casablanca | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Marrakech | Marrakech | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Rabat | Rabat | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Tangier | Tangier | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Fez | Fez | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Agadir | Agadir | Community centre and synagogue |
Tunisia
Similar to Morocco, Tunisia hosts Chabad centres, notably in Djerba, a historic Jewish site.
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad of Djerba | Djerba | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad of Tunis | Tunis | Community centre and synagogue |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Tunisia | Tunis | Central organisation |
Zionist entity ("Israel")
The bulk of Chabad activity in the region occurs within the Zionist entity, with over 800 institutions including centres, yeshivot, and nurseries operated by Colel Chabad.[1][5] A contemporary report makes clear that these encompass community centres, educational facilities, and charitable operations.[6]
Community centres and synagogues
The following represents a selection from hundreds of centres; for exhaustive directories, consult official sources.
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad of Eged Jerusalem | Jerusalem | Community centre |
| Chabad of Rechavia | Jerusalem | Community centre |
| Chabad of Kiryat Arba | Hebron | Community centre |
| Agudat Kiryat Chabad-Chabad of Safed | Safed | Community centre |
| Chabad of Haifa | Haifa | Community centre |
| Chabad of Or Yehuda | Or Yehuda | Community centre |
| Chabad of Tzefat | Tzefat | Community centre |
| Chabad of El'ad | El'ad | Community centre |
| Chabad of Rishon LeZion | Rishon LeZion | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Jerusalem | Jerusalem | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Tel Aviv-Yafo | Tel Aviv-Yafo | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Haifa | Haifa | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Safed | Safed | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Beersheva | Beersheva | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Netanya | Netanya | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Ashdod | Ashdod | Community centre |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Ashkelon | Ashkelon | Community centre |
Yeshivot
Chabad operates numerous yeshivot under the Tomchei Tmimim network and affiliates.
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Yeshiva Toras Emes Chabad Lubavitch | Unknown | Yeshiva |
| Yeshiva Tzeirei Hashluchim Tzfat (Chabad) | Tzfat | Yeshiva |
| Toras Emes Chabad Lubavitch | Unknown | Yeshiva |
| Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Elad | El'ad | Yeshiva |
| Kollel Or Menachem | El'ad | Kollel |
| Yeshiva Temimei Derech | Safed | Yeshiva |
| Yeshiva Chabad of Tzfat | Tzfat | Yeshiva |
| Tomchei Tmimim yeshivot affiliated with Chabad in Kfar Chabad | Kfar Chabad | Yeshiva network |
Nurseries and daycares
Colel Chabad manages the Larissa Blavatnik Network of Daycare Centers, with 16 locations serving nearly 1000 children from needy families.[5]
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Myra York Daycare Center | Afula | Nursery |
| Stieglitz Educational Campus | Ashdod | Nursery |
| Luxenberg Early Childhood Center | Ashdod | Nursery |
| Chaya Mushka Day Care Center | Ashkelon | Nursery |
| Steve Kramer Day Care Center | Beitar | Nursery |
| Barry and Miriam Menin Early Childhood Center | Beitar | Nursery |
| Bigman Family Day Care Center | Karmiel | Nursery |
| Larissa Blavatnik Network of Daycare Centers | Various (16 locations) | Nursery network |
| Tchelet Mordechai Campus | Beersheva | Nursery |
| Ohr Chaya and Larisa Blavatnik chain | Various | Nursery chain |
| Colel Chabad Daycare in Rishon LeZion | Rishon LeZion | Nursery |
| Colel Chabad Daycare in Safed | Safed | Nursery |
| Colel Chabad Daycare in Beitar Illit | Beitar Illit | Nursery |
Countries with no documented Chabad presence
The following West Asian/Middle Eastern countries show no evidence of official Chabad-Lubavitch centres, emissaries, or institutions in current directories:
- Algeria — No centre; historical Jewish population fled in the 1960s, with no subsequent Chabad establishment.[7][8]
- Bahrain — No official centre; occasional past royal invitations noted but no ongoing Chabad operation.[9] For instance, in 2008, King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa extended a personal invitation to Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov during a state visit to New York, emphasising welcome for all expatriate Bahrainis regardless of religion.[9] Reports suggest that while Bahrain hosts a small Jewish community and a renovated synagogue, no dedicated Chabad-Lubavitch emissary or institution has been established, with occasional assistance from regional rabbis such as those in the United Arab Emirates for events like funerals.[10] Current directories list no centres.[11]
- Iran — No presence; geopolitical hostility precludes activity.
- Iraq — No official centre; isolated past printing missions reported but no established institution.
- Jordan — No documented Chabad centre.
- Kuwait — No presence.
- Lebanon — No presence.
- Oman — No presence.
- Qatar — No presence.
- Saudi Arabia — No official emissary or centre; needs of any visiting Jews reportedly met externally.[12]
- Syria — No presence.
- Yemen — No presence.
See also
External links
Chabad Centers in Israel Chabad Global Locator Colel Chabad Childcare and Nurseries Chabad of the United Arab Emirates
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lubavitch.com, Middle East Lubavitch.com, accessed March 2, 2026.
- ↑ The Jerusalem Post, Chabad to expand to more Muslim countries after UAE emmissary announcement The Jerusalem Post, October 26, 2020.
- ↑ JNS.org, Chabad-Lubavitch announces emissary to United Arab Emirates JNS.org, November 1, 2020.
- ↑ JNS.org, Chabad-Lubavitch announces emissary to United Arab Emirates JNS.org, November 1, 2020.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Colel Chabad, Colel Chabad Daycare Centers for Needy Children ColelChabad.org, accessed March 2, 2026.
- ↑ Chabad.org, Chabad Centers in Israel Chabad.org, accessed March 2, 2026.
- ↑ Jewish Virtual Library, "Algeria Virtual Jewish History Tour" (adapted from the Encyclopaedia Judaica), accessed 18 October 2026. It reports that by the end of July 1962, 70,000 Jews had left for France and another 5,000 for Israel, and that "By 1969 fewer than one thousand Jews remained in Algeria".
- ↑ Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, "Africa – Centers" Lubavitch.com, accessed 18 October 2026 (Chabad-side). The directory lists 10 African countries with Chabad centres; Algeria is not among them.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chabad.org, King of Bahrain Extends Jewish Communal Welcome During State Visit Chabad.org, November 10, 2008.
- ↑ JNS.org, Chabad-Lubavitch announces emissary to United Arab Emirates JNS.org, November 1, 2020.
- ↑ Chabad.org, Chabad Centers in Bahrain Chabad.org, accessed March 2, 2026.
- ↑ The Times of Israel, In Saudi Arabia, a rabbi angles to lead a Jewish community that doesn't exist The Times of Israel, December 27, 2021.