Editing Chicago (section)

== Chabad Community of Chicago ==
The Chabad community in Chicago is a longstanding community that existed during the leadership of the Rebbe Maharash. The central synagogues in Chicago - "Bnei Reuven" served the Chabad community in those days, as did the Anshei Lubavitch Chicago synagogue.

The community was established by Jews who arrived in Chicago shortly after the Great Fire that broke out in the city in 5631 (1871), which destroyed large parts of it. The reconstruction work that began immediately after the flames subsided attracted many Jews to the city, including Chabad chassidim who, immediately upon arrival, established their own synagogue in order to preserve Chabad customs and nusach, and to serve as a community center for farbrengens, simchas, gatherings, and more.

Chicago was a very central city in the first decades of Chabad in the United States, and the Frierdiker Rebbe visited during his trip to the United States in 5690 (1930), and even considered moving there, but in practice, after the visit, the Rebbe wrote that he needed to continue residing in Europe.

The Frierdiker Rebbe also made a special visit in 5702 (1942) called the "Chicago Visit," and the things said there were arranged for printing by the Rebbe and published in the "Chicago Visit" booklet.

Over the years, the Chabad community in Chicago diminished until in 5737 (1977) it numbered only about 15 families. In 5736 (1976), Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz established Chabad of Illinois and settled in Chicago, and in 5742 (1982), Rabbi Moscowitz appointed Rabbi Yitzchak Wolf to manage the Chabad school, which opened in Elul 5739 (1979) by Rebbetzin Esther Rachel Moscowitz. Over the years, the school grew and a high school for anash girls was opened alongside it in the city, and the Chabad community in the city grew until in 5751 (1991) the community numbered about 50 anash families and another 75 families who prayed in the veteran synagogue "Bnei Reuven."

In 5751 (1991), Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz established a new high school that began its journey with only about 10 students and was located in the "Bnei Reuven" synagogue. In 5784 (2024), the high school moved to a new and magnificent building.

Today, the community numbers about 250 families residing mainly in the West Rogers Park neighborhood and operates educational institutions including a high school, a large Talmud Torah (about 500 students), Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, and synagogues. There are over 50 active Chabad Houses operating in the city.

During Shemini Atzeret 5779 (2018), in an attack that took place in the city, the bochur Eliyahu Moscowitz HY"D, a Chabad chassid and resident of the city, was murdered.