As thousands of Jewish students gather from around the world for Pegisha, Colel Chabad, Israel’s oldest continuously operating tzedakah organization, founded in 1788, is opening a special historical exhibit documenting nearly 250 years of Chabad in Eretz Yisrael.

Featuring original and reproduced documents from the Colel Chabad archives, the exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into a remarkable history that began in 1777.

That year, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk led the first great Chassidic aliyah to Eretz Yisrael. The Alter Rebbe had originally intended to join the journey but remained behind to lead the Chassidim in the Diaspora. Thus began a historic partnership connecting Jews in Eretz Yisrael with their brethren around the world—a connection that continues to this day.

At a time of growing divisions, the exhibit offers shluchim and their students a unique opportunity to discover a deeper perspective on Eretz Yisrael and the passionate call of our Rebbeim to support its needy—a legacy rooted in 250 years of shared responsibility, unity, and Ahavas Yisrael.

The exhibit will be on Friday until 3:00 pm at the Colel Chabad Office, 806 Eastern Parkway and is part of the Chabad on Campus Pegisha Recommended Stops.

The collection was curated by Rabbi Dovid Zaklikowski of Lubavitch Archives.