In addition to serving as the representative office in our nation's capital of the international Chabad-Lubavitch movement - and thus being directly responsible for events and activities of national and international reach and significance - the Washington Office offers an array of interesting and inspiring programs which reach out to Jewish people of all backgrounds and affiliations.

Founded in the 18th century by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Laidi, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement has always been a strong advocate of emphasis on education. Chabad Chassidism teaches that devotion to G-d should be blended with study and intellectual understanding of truth.

The teachings of Chabad are based on the Torah - the Written and Oral Law. Implicit in Chabad Chassidism is a universal message for all people that worship of G-d requires intellectual discipline as well as sincere faith, and therefore, that belief should be accompanied by the scholarly pursuit of wisdom.

The philosophy of the Lubavitcher movement is founded upon the significance of three basic intellectual elements; Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding) and Daath (knowledge), forming the hebrew acronym of "Chabad". Because the leaders of Chabad - the Rebbes - resided until 1916 in the Russian town of Lubavitch (literally translated as "city of brotherly love"), Chabad became known as the "Chabad-Lubavitch movement" and its leader as the "Lubavitcher Rebbe."

Under the leadership of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, the movement expanded profoundly across the United States and internationally.

Indeed, the success of Chabad-Lubavitch is multi-faceted. Educational institutions vary from early childhood programs, elementary and secondary schools, to day and overnight summer camps, rabbinical colleges, teacher's seminaries and extensive adult and senior citizen's educational programs.

Millions of volumes and pieces of Jewish literature are published throughout the year, appealing in dozens of languages to people of all ages and levels of learning and observance.

Chabad-Lubavitch employs cutting edge technology in its educational work, using new and innovative methods to bring Jewish learning and knowledge to all who seek it, wherever they may be, geographically or in terms of identity and communal involvement.

Social service initiatives of Chabad-Lubavitch also run the gamut, from counseling, crisis intervention, and drug rehabilitation, to food and job banks, community assistance and immigrant resettlement programs.

Chabad-Lubavitch has also developed very successful chaplaincy programs, reaching out to Jewish men and women in the Armed Forces, hospitals and prisons, and providing crucial assistance to their families who are often so alone and desperate.

The work of Chabad-Lubavitch is welcomed by so many who have become estranged or distant from the Jewish faith and the Jewish people. On campuses all across America, students find the spirit of Shabbat, Jewish identity programs, and a sense of belonging, due to the dedicated work and spectacular programming of open and welcoming Chabad-Lubavitch centers.

And the mitzvah programs are legendary, encouraging Jews everwhere on their journey, mitzvah (positive good deed) by mitzvah, towards a sense of greater awareness of their Jewishness.

Tens of thousands of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and staff around the world continue to seek new avenues and locations to serve their Jewish brothers and sisters, regardless of affiliation.