ZAKA and Chabad Join Forces to Strengthen Emergency Response for Jewish Communities Worldwide
New international partnership combines Chabad's global community network with ZAKA's search-and-rescue expertise to provide emergency assistance, save lives, and preserve human dignity.
A Jewish traveller faces an emergency thousands of kilometres from home. A family in a remote community needs urgent assistance following a natural disaster. In moments like these, knowing whom to contact and having access to trained responders can make a critical difference.
A new international partnership between ZAKA Search & Rescue and Chabad-Lubavitch aims to strengthen that connection by bringing professional emergency response capabilities closer to Jewish communities and travellers worldwide.
The initiative was announced on November 6, 2026, during the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries (Kinus Hashluchim) in New York. The partnership establishes a joint international emergency response, search-and-rescue, and Chesed Shel Emes unit, combining two organizations with longstanding traditions of humanitarian assistance.
Combining Global Reach with Emergency Response Expertise
Chabad-Lubavitch maintains an extensive international network of emissaries, known as shluchim, who serve Jewish communities in cities, small towns, and remote locations.
Beyond their religious and educational responsibilities, these emissaries frequently become the first point of contact for Jewish residents and travellers experiencing emergencies. They help families navigate unfamiliar circumstances, communicate with local authorities, and access essential support.
ZAKA, meanwhile, brings decades of experience responding to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, missing-person cases, and other complex emergencies. Its specialized teams operate throughout Israel and have participated in international humanitarian missions.
The new ZAKA-Chabad Unit will connect these complementary capabilities, helping communities access trained responders and specialized resources when emergencies occur.
Under the partnership, Chabad emissaries will receive professional training in emergency first response, search and rescue, disaster victim recovery, and the respectful treatment of the deceased according to Jewish law.
ZAKA's International Unit will provide operational guidance, specialized personnel, and equipment when necessary. The initiative will also establish procedures to coordinate with local emergency services and deploy response teams.
The objective is not to replace local emergency authorities, but to strengthen coordination and ensure that Jewish communities have access to additional professional assistance when circumstances demand it.
A Mission Rooted in Jewish Values
Beyond its operational significance, the partnership reflects two deeply rooted principles of Jewish tradition: Pikuach Nefesh and Chesed Shel Emes.
Pikuach Nefesh, the obligation to preserve human life, is among Judaism's most fundamental principles. It emphasizes protecting life and taking action when someone faces danger.
Chesed Shel Emes, often understood as an act of true kindness, is closely associated with caring for the deceased with dignity and respect, without expectation of anything in return.
These principles have shaped ZAKA's mission since its establishment. Although widely recognized for its work recovering victims and preserving the dignity of the deceased, the organization has developed extensive capabilities in emergency medical response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Its humanitarian operations also extend beyond Jewish communities, serving people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
The partnership with Chabad brings these values into a broader international framework, connecting community-based assistance with professional emergency response.
Preparing Communities Before Emergencies Happen
One of the initiative's most important elements is its emphasis on preparedness. Emergencies often unfold rapidly, particularly in locations where specialized rescue resources are limited or where language and cultural differences complicate communication.
By equipping Chabad emissaries with practical training and established response procedures, the partnership seeks to improve communities' ability to respond during the critical early stages of an incident.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of combining Chabad's worldwide presence with ZAKA's professional capabilities.
ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern similarly highlighted the opportunity to expand the organization's international reach and assist Jewish communities facing crises, including those in remote locations.
The new unit will operate under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Yoram Ulman, Chabad's emissary in Sydney, Australia, while Yossi Landau, Commander of ZAKA's International Unit, will oversee its operational activities.
Together, their leadership will help establish a framework that combines professional emergency management with sensitivity to Jewish religious practices and community needs.
Strengthening Emergency Response in Israel
The new ZAKA-Chabad partnership demonstrates how training, preparedness, and cooperation can strengthen emergency response capabilities and help communities facing life-threatening situations.
These priorities are also central to the work of the Israel Magen Fund of Canada (IMFoC), a Canadian registered charity committed to improving emergency response, healthcare, and community resilience in Israel.
As ZAKA Search & Rescue's official Canadian partner, IMFoC works with the organization to advance emergency response services in Israel, helping trained responders reach people in need.
Among IMFoC's initiatives are projects to strengthen rapid-response and evacuation capabilities through specialized emergency vehicles, including rescue vehicles and motorcycles designed to improve mobility and access during critical incidents.
While the newly announced ZAKA-Chabad international unit is a separate initiative, it reflects the same principle guiding IMFoC's emergency response projects: effective humanitarian assistance begins with preparation, trained people, and the resources needed to act when every second counts.
By supporting IMFoC's charitable activities, Canadians can help strengthen essential emergency services in Israel and contribute to a broader commitment to protecting lives, supporting communities, and preserving human dignity.
