Whether you live in the US, Israel, or anywhere else in the world, chances are you’ve heard of Colel Chabad.
In 1788, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, established Colel Chabad to help Israel’s needy. 232 years later, Colel Chabad has become Israel’s oldest continuously-running charity network and has helped generations of Israeli Jews get the food, support, and resources they need.
Establishing the charity was no easy task. In 1788, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was imprisoned by the Russian government on false charges of treason. The Rebbe, his opponents accused, was urging his followers to send funds to the land of Israel to support the Ottoman Empire, which governed Israel and was at war with Russia at the time.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman was later cleared of these charges and released from prison on the 19th of Kislev, 1798. The date, which has since become one of the most important ones on the Chabad calendar, is widely celebrated as a day of freedom and liberation.
On Yud-Tes Kislev (19 Kislev), we at Colel Chabad celebrate our very existence. On this day, the founder of our organization was freed from imprisonment and able to return to his crucial work, setting in motion a movement that would change lives for centuries to come.
In the 200-plus years since the Alter Rebbe’s liberation, Colel Chabad’s mission remains unchanged: we are here to provide meaningful material help—especially food—to needy Jews living in the Holy Land, and to do so without compromising their pride and dignity. Today, we continue to help those in need regardless of their age, gender, background or degree of religious observance.
Colel Chabad’s work is symbolized by the humble charity box, which was first introduced some 200 years ago to serve as a reminder in every household and place of business that there are others in need of help. For over two centuries, Jewish families have kept a Colel Chabad Tzedaka Pushka (charity box) in their homes. Today, this tradition continues: a free Colel Chabad charity box is yours for the taking.
This year, 19 Kislev comes out on Shabbat, December 5th. On the eve of 19 Kislev, 2020, We encourage you to embrace all that Colel Chabad represents by gracing your home with your very own Colel Chabad charity box, which is now available in the classic canister version or as a one-touch smartphone app for charity on the go.
For over 232 years Colel Chabad has been the personal Charitable Trust of each succeeding Lubavitcher Rebbe – making it the preeminent charitable mission of Chabad Lubavitch, and testimony to the overriding importance the movement places on aiding Jews in distress in Israel.
The 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menacḥem Mendel Schneerson, wrote about Colel Chabad: “The merit of this charity is great enough to awaken goodness from above and to draw down enormous blessings upon each and every participant and their families for all their needs, both material and spiritual.”
Happy 19th Kislev! Wishing you and your loved ones a year of liberation, freedom, and true joy.
To claim your free Colel Chabad charity box/tzedaka pushka, visit https://www.colelchabad.org/Pushka.htm.
To download the Colel Chabad app, visit https://www.colelchabad.org/app.
