Born in Flatbush, Rabbi Stone was educated in the Lubavitcher Yeshiva. He spent his childhood years in close proximity to 770 and was fortunate to witness the Lubavitcher Rebbe's farbrengens and public gatherings firsthand — hearing directly the Rebbe's call of the hour.
That sacred environment left an indelible impression on the young student. Inspired to heed the Rebbe's passionate call, Rabbi Stone began reaching out to fellow Jews and sharing the joy of Yiddishkeit and the spiritual power of a Mitzvah opportunity. During rabbinical school, he travelled across the globe, volunteering in the Rebbe's Mitzvah Corps and touching souls in far-flung corners of the world.
Following his marriage to Chani in 2001, the couple enlisted as permanent emissaries of the Rebbe and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 2004. As the Stone family grew — blessed with six beautiful children — so did their outreach. Shabbat services, Hebrew school, weekly adult education classes, and lively holiday events are just some of what the Stone family offers their neighbors, friends, and even the strangers Rabbi Stone happens to meet on the street.
Rabbi Stone is widely known as one of the world's foremost experts on spotting a Jew on the street and inviting them to put on Tefillin or learn about lighting Shabbat candles. Years of experience have given him an uncanny ability to connect — and when he convinces someone to do a Mitzvah on the go, this gives him tremendous nachas, a spiritual pleasure unlike any other.
Torah education — for both children and adults — is something Rabbi Stone has dedicated his life to. Not just thinking about it, but doing something about it. As those who know him will attest, he is a man of action. The Rebbe taught us the incalculable value of each and every Mitzvah and how each one brings us closer to Moshiach. For Rabbi Stone, this is not theory — it is the reality that drives his work every single day.
What Drives Us
Chabad is a worldwide movement dedicated to Jewish education, community, and connection — inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Guided by his vision of reaching every person with warmth, care, and purpose, Chabad has grown into a global network of more than 3,500 centers serving communities in nearly 1,000 cities around the world.
Driven by a deep love for humanity and an unwavering belief in the potential of every individual, the Rebbe helped revitalize Jewish life after the Holocaust and inspired an extraordinary range of educational programs, community initiatives, and social services. Chabad's work reaches people of all backgrounds and all stages of life — children and adults, students and professionals, scholars and beginners alike.
At its core, Chabad believes that every Jew — and every human being — has inherent value, a unique purpose, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on the world. Each person is an essential part of a greater whole, contributing to the beauty and purpose of creation.
Since 2004, Rabbi Yisrael and Chani, along with their six children, have been dedicated to building a warm, welcoming Jewish community on the Lower East Side — one where every person can discover their heritage, deepen their connection, and celebrate Jewish life.
Thanks to the generosity of our community and supporters, that vision continues to flourish every day. Together, we are creating a vibrant Jewish future and a place where everyone belongs.
Come see what makes our community so special. We'd love to meet you.