CHABAD LUBAVITCH
in metro new york
Chabad Lubavitch have been described as the one Orthodox group which evokes great affection from large segments of American Jewish people. This is true for a few reasons: they offer outreach to all Jewish people, including those alienated from religious tradition; they are the most “visible” Haredi Jewish people because they offer widespread efforts throughout NYC to engage nominal Jewish people to perform mitzvahs; and they engage with the general public at events such as the annual Crown Heights festival to address issues such as anti-Semitism.
Even though they influence hundreds of thousands outside of their community, there are only about 27,000 Chabad Lubavitch Jewish people living in Metro New York. Most of them live near the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, which has an annual budget of up to two billion dollars to spread Judaism around the world.
Between 25% to 35% of Chabad Hasidim in Crown Heights speaks Yiddish. This is much lower than other Hasidic groups, which may be attributed to previously non-Hasidic Jewish people joining the Chabad community through their outreach efforts.

Population estimate was derived from the Historical Atlas of Hasidism by Marcin Wodziński. At the time of the book’s research (2016), there were 4,285 Chabad Lubavitch households in Metro New York. For a 2021 estimate, five more years were added at a 3.6% annual growth rate times an average household size of 5.3 (see Census Based Estimation of the Hasidic Jewish Population by Joshua Comenetz). That total comes to an estimated 27,103 Chabad Lubavitch in Metro New York in 2021.
Fun Facts
- The Jewish Children’s Museum is located in Crown Heights and it offers fun while educating visitors about Jewish life and history. Mendy’s Kosher Deli is located in the Jewish Children’s Museum.
- Mitzvah tanks are recreational vehicles that have been converted into mobile educational and outreach centers, or “mini-synagogues.” They can be seen throughout NYC as Chabad Lubavitch Jewish people encourage non-active Jewish people to perform a mitzvah, a commandment of God to be performed as a religious duty.

Religious Life
There are hundreds of Chabad centers and institutions in NYC, which attests to the widespread outreach efforts of Chabad Lubavitch. The center of Chabad Lubavitch activity is their worldwide headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.
Driving their zeal for outreach is the belief that the arrival of Moshiach (the Messiah) can be hastened if all Jewish people return to God and follow His ways. A significant minority of Chabad Lubavitch Jewish believe that the late beloved rabbi Menachem Schneerson is the messiah, therefore his picture is ubiquitous on Chabad-owned property.
Prayer Gallery
Unreached people groups can also be viewed as "hidden" people groups (i.e., they are largely unnoticed and unaffected by the global Body of Christ). In the prayer gallery section below, as well as through the Google Earth prayerwalk tool, you can visualize these hidden people group communities. By doing so, we pray God gives you insight into how to pray through what you see. By scrolling through major points of interest in the prayer gallery section, pray for people you see, and pray that the peace and hope of Jesus will become known to people who frequent these places. Through the Google Earth prayerwalk tool linked at the bottom of the page, you can virtually prayerwalk through the community, praying "on site with insight." You could also take the route and points of interest from that tool and save them to your "Google Maps" to prayerwalk in person. Allow the following three steps to guide your prayers using these tools, and try prayerwalking with another person or small group! God hears the voice of His people, and He responds to our prayers!
1. Praise and Thanksgiving
Praise God for who He is. Thank Him for His blessings and salvation that is extended to all peoples. Praise and thank Him for appointing the time and boundaries of this people group's presence in North America so that they might seek Him and find Him (Acts 17:26). Pray Scriptures that come to mind about His glory being made known among all peoples and nations (e.g., Rev 7:9-10).
2. Pray for Laborers
Luke 10:2 says “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Pray for God's laborers to share Christ's love through hospitality to this people group. Pray for laborers among this community to establish loving relationships and proclaim the gospel. Pray for Christians to emerge from within this people group who will reach their friends and family members.
3. Pray for Understanding and Receptivity
Most members of unreached people group communities remain unreached because they have failed to hear the gospel in ways they can understand. Others have heard the gospel but have many barriers to overcome before receiving the gospel. Pray that this community will understand the gospel. Pray for God to draw them to Jesus and remove the barriers that keep them from salvation in Christ.
Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters
(Brooklyn, NY)
Chabad has a presence throughout the world. This location, however, is their headquarters. All Chabad Lubavitch flow through these doors at some point. Chabad cohesiveness, their major decisions, the sending of missionaries, and the rebbe’s blessing all emanate from this headquarters.
Chabad of Midtown
(Manhattan, NY)
Hundreds of Chabad Houses have been started around the world as missionary outreach arms of the Chabad Lubavitch. Chabad of Midtown exemplifies the strategic and financially-invested work of the Chabad Lubavitch. This Chabad House is in one of the most heavily trafficked areas of North America.
Haredim in North America Overview Page
Visit this page to learn general information about Haredi Jewish communities in North America and their religious beliefs. Also, discover resources to help share Jesus with them in their language.
Virtual Prayerwalk among the Chabad Lubavitch Community in New York City
Prayerwalk through some of the main Chabad Lubavitch restaurants, places of worship, and businesses in New York City using a tool we developed in Google Earth. You could also do a prayerwalk in person using the same points of interest.