About
A warm Jewish home in the heart of the Himalayas — since 5760 (2000), an open door for every traveler.
Chabad House Dharamsala
Chabad House Dharamsala was founded in 5760 (2000) at the initiative of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, by the emissaries — Rabbi Dror and his wife Michal Shaul.
A little about us…
Rabbi Dror Shaul
My name is Dror. I grew up in the Beit HaKerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, and from a young age I traveled to many places in Israel and around the world, drawn to mysticism, spirituality and understanding the soul.
After my army service as a combat soldier and paratrooper medic, I set out for India on a journey through monasteries and sects — during which, remarkably, the connection to my Jewish identity began. About five years later, during which I drew close to the Rebbe and to Chassidut, I returned to India as a Chabad emissary in Dharamsala, to help travelers with anything they need and to reveal the hidden Jewish spark within them.
Over the years my wife Michal and I developed a range of workshops and courses that bring the treasure held in the writings of Kabbalah and Chassidut straight into the most practical realms of life.
In parallel we founded 'Yichuda' College in Israel, for Kabbalistic-Chassidic contemplation, offering guidance for spiritual and emotional growth grounded purely in the wisdom of the Torah. For over 25 years we have been giving courses and lectures on psychology, meditation and Jewish movement — in India, in Israel and around the world.
Out of our rich experience and the public's thirst, I wrote the book 'Hitbonenut b'Maaseh Merkava', which includes practical guidance for Jewish meditation. Later I wrote 'Lech Lecha Dharamsala', which unfolds my personal story woven through the lives of many souls; the book weaves in explanations of the emotional implications of the ten sefirot and serves as a kind of guide to identifying and understanding the reader's own soul.
Rebbetzin Michal Shaul
The Rebbe's emissary in Dharamsala, she leads workshops in awareness and growth, in psychology according to Chassidut and in Jewish meditation. A soul counselor, a couples and personal therapist, and a facilitator of movement improvisation.
Michal grew up in Carmel, studied at Ulpanat Kfar Pines, earned a bachelor's degree in special education and Judaism at a college in Jerusalem, and at the same time began to delve into the writings of Chassidut.
After her marriage, together with her husband Rabbi Dror, she began leading workshops in creativity, movement, contemplation and guidance for inner journeys — privately and in groups. A lecturer in psychology and Jewish meditation, a couples and personal therapist, a movement facilitator, and more.
Where are we?
Dharamsala is in effect a kind of 'regional council' that includes several villages and towns, part of the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Among its many villages, there are three main tourist hubs: the village of Dharamkot, the village of Bhagsu, and the town of McLeod Ganj.
Dharamkot sits 2,000 meters above sea level, its houses immersed in a landscape of cedar forest and farmland. Chabad House stands in the heart of the village, built in the shape of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's home, known as '770'.
Bhagsu lies to the south-east of Dharamkot, at its foot, at 1,800 meters — about a 15–20 minute gentle walk between the villages. Bhagsu is less rural, with much Indian tourism, a range of shops for travelers, and a lovely stream and flowing waterfall alongside it.
McLeod Ganj sits at the same elevation as Bhagsu, south-west of Dharamkot. The town has a Tibetan population, three bustling streets and many shops and stalls. Baruch Hashem, today there are two Chabad Houses in Dharamsala — one in Dharamkot and one in Bhagsu.
דרמקוט · ׳770׳
בגסוNavigate to the Chabad Houses
Our activity
Chabad House offers travelers and the local Jewish community a wide range of services and activities, aimed at helping every Jew, wherever they are — materially and spiritually.
The directors of Chabad House, Rabbi Dror and his wife Michal, run the place and provide warm hospitality to everyone who comes — for 26 years now. Alongside them is a team of additional emissaries who expand the activity year by year.
What makes Chabad House Dharamsala unique is the in-depth study of various topics in Kabbalah and Chassidut — among them Jewish meditation, kabbalistic psychology, and personal analysis by one's name and birthday. These and other subjects are taught through courses and classes that give participants a fascinating introduction to the world of the hidden.
Chabad House is open and active throughout the tourist seasons, and invites you to feel most at home.
In the Holy Land too
As a continuation of the activity in India, we run activity in the Holy Land — hospitality, special events and gatherings, and the study of the Torah's inner dimension. 'Merkaz Yichuda Ila'ah' is the nonprofit operating in Israel — 'Yichuda' for short. Our goal is to create unity within the Jewish people, to strengthen Jewish identity as a nation and as individuals, and to encourage spiritual leadership. We'd be glad to be at your service in any matter — and glad to have your help too, each according to the generosity of their heart.
Activity photo album
Moments from the Shabbatot, the journeys, the classes, and the people who make this place a home.
