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The Chabad House in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu has been forced to vacate its longtime location after sustained pressure from its landlord, who viewed the Jewish presence as a liability.
Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz, co-director of Chabad of Nepal, said the landlord did not voice ideological hatred of Jews. Instead, he feared the consequences of being publicly associated with Jews and Israelis in an unstable global climate.
From Hosting Jews to Erasing Visibility
According to the Chabad leadership, the landlord began issuing demands aimed at minimizing Jewish visibility. He asked that Hebrew signage be removed and that any indication of Israeli visitors disappear from the property.
Chabad of Nepal co-director Chani Lifshitz later wrote that the landlord expressed anxiety about outside scrutiny. He worried that a Jewish presence could draw suspicion from hostile actors, including agents of the Iranian regime.
The Chabad House in Kathmandu was forced out of its longtime home after months of escalating demands and restrictions imposed by its landlord.
According to Chabad leaders, these pressures included instructions to remove Hebrew signage and ultimately led to an immediate eviction.… pic.twitter.com/rNn7QIyfe0
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) January 5, 2026
Escalating Pressure Made Staying Impossible
Over several months, the landlord imposed repeated conditions. Rent increased again and again. New restrictions followed. Each change made continued operation less viable.
Eventually, Rabbi Lifshitz said, the intent became clear. The landlord no longer wanted the space to function as a Jewish home. The Chabad emissaries moved out and began searching for an alternative location.
Leaving Behind Years of Jewish Life
The Kathmandu Chabad House had served as a rare Jewish anchor in a country without a permanent Jewish population. For years, the space hosted Shabbat meals, holiday gatherings, and pastoral support for Jews traveling through Nepal. Rebbetzin Lifshitz described the departure as leaving behind a life’s work built one guest at a time.
Rabbi Lifshitz told The Jerusalem Post that rebuilding would not be simple. Without a local Jewish base, Chabad of Nepal depends heavily on international support to reestablish a permanent home.
A Recent Attack Deepened Fears
The eviction follows a disturbing incident earlier this year. In April, during the seventh day of Passover, a Norwegian man was suspected of breaking into and vandalizing the Chabad House. He smashed windows and damaged furniture, causing losses estimated in the thousands of dollars.
Rabbi Lifshitz said the attack was unprecedented. In 25 years of operating in Nepal, he had never seen violence directed at the Chabad House.
Ironically, the closure comes as demand increased. The Chabad House welcomed more visitors in 2025 than the year before, as Israeli travelers resumed trips postponed during the war triggered by the October 7th massacre.
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