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.
The emissaries
Rabbi Dror Shaul
Founder & director of Yichuda College · the Rebbe's emissary in Dharamsala, India
Born in 5731 (1971) in Jerusalem, he served as a combat medic and a navigation and survival instructor. A journey through India — past monasteries and sects — brought him, surprisingly, back to his Jewish identity, and from there to the study of Kabbalah, Chassidut and naturopathy.
About five years later, after drawing close to the Rebbe, he married his wife Michal and returned to India as a Chabad emissary. In 5760 (2000) he founded Chabad House in Dharamsala with his family, and over the years developed — together with his wife — workshops and courses that translate the treasures of Kabbalah and Chassidut into practical life. During his shlichut he was ordained as a rabbi, and continues to learn to this day, inspired by his teacher Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh shlita.
Alongside the shlichut he founded Yichuda College, which deepens the connection with students in Israel too. For over 25 years he has given courses and lectures on psychology, meditation and Jewish movement, and has written two books — 'Hitbonenut b'Maaseh Merkava' and 'Lech Lecha Dharamsala' (translated into English as Himalayan High).
Rebbetzin Michal Shaul
The Rebbe's emissary in Dharamsala · soul counselor, couples therapist and movement facilitator
The Rebbe's emissary in Dharamsala, she leads workshops in awareness and growth, in psychology according to Chassidut and in Jewish meditation, and serves as a soul counselor and a couples and personal therapist.
She grew up in Carmel, earned a degree in special education and Judaism, and delved into the writings of Chassidut. Together with her husband she leads workshops on creativity, movement and contemplation, and in recent years focuses on developing movement in the light of the holy letters and translating spiritual content into improvisational dance.
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.
