What is chabad women?

Chabad women refers to women who are part of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, one of the largest and most influential Jewish outreach organizations in the world. Chabad women play a central and celebrated role in their communities, particularly as shluchos (emissaries) who partner with their husbands in spreading Torah observance and Jewish identity globally.

Key Takeaways

Chabad women (shluchos) are active partners in the Chabad outreach mission, often running programs, schools, and community centers worldwide.
The Lubavitch Rebbetzins — especially Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson — serve as spiritual role models for Chabad women.
Chabad women maintain traditional Jewish family life (tznius, Shabbat, family purity laws) while being highly educated and publicly active.
The role of Chabad women is shaped by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who strongly encouraged women's Torah education and leadership.
Chabad women have their own global organization and annual conference celebrating their unique mission.

Who Are Chabad Women?

Chabad women are members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, founded in 18th-century Belarus by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch HaRav.

The movement emphasizes:

Chochma, Bina, Da'at — intellect and deep understanding of Torah
Love of every Jew (Ahavat Yisrael)
Active outreach (kiruv) to unaffiliated Jews

Chabad women are deeply shaped by these values.

The Role of the Shlucha (Emissary)

One of the most defining aspects of Chabad women's identity is the role of the shlucha (female emissary; plural: shluchos).

The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that a shliach (emissary) and his wife are equal partners — the wife is not secondary but a full co-emissary in the mission.

Shluchos typically:

Run educational programs — children's classes, women's Torah classes, holiday events
Operate Chabad Houses — which often function out of their own homes
Counsel and support community members on Jewish life, family, and personal growth
Teach taharat hamishpacha (family purity laws) and mikveh observance

There are Chabad shluchos on every continent (except Antarctica), in over 100 countries.

Torah Education for Chabad Women

The Lubavitcher Rebbe was a pioneer in emphasizing women's Torah education, building on the earlier revolution of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the Chofetz Chaim) and Sarah Schenirer (founder of the Bais Yaakov movement).

Chabad women study:

Chassidus — the mystical and philosophical teachings of Chabad Hasidism
Halacha — Jewish law as it applies to women and family life
Tanakh and Jewish thought
The Tanya — the foundational Chabad text

Major institutions include Bais Rivka seminary network worldwide, preparing young Chabad women for their roles as wives, mothers, and shluchos.

Values and Lifestyle

Chabad women observe traditional Orthodox Jewish practice:

Tznius (modesty) in dress — married women cover their hair, typically with a sheitel (wig) or tichel (scarf)
Shabbat and Yom Tov observance
Taharat Hamishpacha — the laws of family purity, including monthly mikveh immersion
Kashrut — keeping a strictly kosher home

At the same time, Chabad women are often known for being warm, outgoing, and highly educated, reflecting the Rebbe's vision of b'pnimiyus (inner depth) expressed through joyful engagement with the world.

Role Models: The Rebbetzins

Chabad women look to the Lubavitcher Rebbetzins as the ultimate models of their role:

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson (wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) — known for her extraordinary humility, wisdom, and quiet strength
Rebbetzin Nechama Dina (wife of the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak) — known for her courage during Soviet persecution

The Annual Shluchos Conference

Each year, thousands of Chabad women gather in New York for the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries, celebrating their mission, sharing ideas, and strengthening their community bonds.

For personal guidance on Chabad practice or community life, consult your local Chabad rabbi or rebbetzin.