The campaign, aimed at protecting Chabad Houses around the world, comes as Chabad’s security apparatus has already urged Jewish communities to exercise heightened caution.
As fears of Iranian-linked threats continue to shadow Jewish communities worldwide, Chabad’s emergency and security center, CWA, has launched a new security campaign warning emissaries that a seemingly harmless message could be the opening move in a hostile attempt to penetrate community networks.
The campaign, aimed at protecting Chabad Houses around the world, comes as Chabad’s security apparatus has already urged Jewish communities to exercise heightened caution amid the fallout from the current confrontation with Iran and rising concerns over attacks on visibly Jewish targets abroad.
A new video released in Hebrew and English presents a familiar scene with deeply unsettling implications: A Chabad emissary receives what looks like a simple inquiry from a Jew asking about prayer times and how to enter the local Chabad House. Then comes the warning.
“The Iranian enemy does not stop trying to penetrate your systems and obtain details about the community,” the video says, according to Chabad-affiliated coverage of the campaign. “Do not let your desire to help every Jew become a weapon against you.”
According to the campaign, the video was based on real incidents involving emissaries in recent weeks. The message is clear and urgent: Jewish institutions built on openness, hospitality, and accessibility are also vulnerable to exploitation by hostile actors seeking information on routines, entry points, and community structure.
Chabad warns of Iranian infiltration attempts in new global security campaign
The campaign urges emissaries to verify the source of every message, avoid clicking on unknown links, and immediately replace passwords and access codes with stronger ones. In practice, the warning turns an everyday act of welcome into a frontline security concern.
Chabad security alert: Iran may target emissaries online
For Chabad Houses, which often serve as the first address for Jews traveling, studying, or living far from home, the threat carries particular weight.
A request about prayer times can sound routine. In the current climate, CWA is warning that it may also be a probe, a phishing attempt, or the start of a broader effort tied to Iranian hostile activity. That concern has grown as Israeli authorities and Jewish security bodies have warned in recent days of elevated danger around Chabad Houses and other Jewish sites overseas.
The new campaign delivers its message with little subtlety: In a period of war, cyber pressure, and terror threats, even a friendly message can carry the fingerprints of an enemy.