Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was murdered in a terrorist attack in the United Arab Emirates, served as a Chabad emissary in the region, part of a global network of over 6,000 emissaries, or shlichim, working wherever Jews reside, including in countries that have no diplomatic relations with Israel.
In times of natural disasters, terrorist attacks or a pandemic, Chabad emissaries are known for their unwavering presence, providing assistance to Jews worldwide. This includes mobile synagogues, vehicles, dining services and opportunities to engage in Jewish rituals, such as wrapping tefillin (phylacteries), lighting Shabbat candles, giving charity, participating in Shabbat and holiday meals and hearing Torah readings.
Rabbi Zvi Kogan speaks at a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in the UAE in 2020.
Unlike other Hasidic groups, which traditionally maintain insular communities centered around their Rebbe or group, Chabad actively sends emissaries to the farthest corners of the world to connect with and support as many Jews as possible. This unique mission has made the organization a key pillar of Jewish outreach and support globally.
Chabad, an acronym for Chochma (wisdom), Bina (understanding) and Daat (knowledge), originally centered around consolidated institutions until the Holocaust era. The transformative change came under Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, father-in-law of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, who fled war-torn Europe for the United States. In a pivotal speech to his followers, he outlined the goals of a new Chabad movement:
“No new calamities need to harden the hearts of Israel. No onslaught of antisemitism or harsh decrees should drive a Jew to despair. Let the Jewish people embrace one another with the joyful blessing of ‘redemption immediately.’ No matter how difficult the final hour may seem, every Jew must remember that it is not the nation of Israel that is dying, but the earth bowing to give birth. A new nation of Israel and a new Land of Israel are being born.”
This vision inspired his followers to rebuild the Jewish spiritual infrastructure.
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Chabad emissaries began traveling to distant countries, founding Chabad Houses that became centers for Jewish learning, reconnecting Jews to their heritage, and promoting mitzvot and Torah study. The global outreach effort expanded significantly under the leadership of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, transforming Chabad into a cornerstone of Jewish continuity worldwide.
A Chabad emissary typically receives an assignment and remains there indefinitely, often envisioning their mission as lasting until the coming of the Messiah or well into old age. Unlike embassy or consulate staff, Chabad emissaries settle permanently in their assigned locations, integrating into the local landscape and population. Beyond their spiritual mission of fostering connections to Torah and Judaism, they frequently serve as first responders in times of crisis, leveraging their deep familiarity with local communities and authorities.
This role was evident during the antisemitic attack in Amsterdam earlier this month when dozens of Jews and Israelis feared for their safety. Rabbi Akiva Camissar and his wife, Taybi, Chabad emissaries in Amsterdam, swiftly established an emergency operations center and organized a transportation system. With help from local Israeli and Jewish community volunteers, they gathered individuals in safe locations and coordinated their secure transport.
Similarly, since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Chabad Houses have been at the forefront of rescue efforts, relocating Jews to protected areas while providing essentials such as food, medicine and clothing.