Chabad House in Bellevue Burns Down, Youth Counselors Escape by Jumping from Second Floor

A devastating fire destroyed the home of Chabad emissaries Rabbi Shalom and Chaya Elishvitz in Bellevue, Washington, early Saturday morning. The blaze, caused by an electrical fault, broke out around 5 a.m. and trapped seven young counselors from the CTeen summer camp on the second floor. Rabbi Elishvitz awoke to the smoke and flames, quickly evacuating his wife and children before returning to rescue the counselors. Finding the main staircase blocked by fire, the counselors had to jump from the second-floor windows seconds before the house was fully engulfed.

Emergency responders treated the victims, who miraculously sustained only minor injuries and smoke inhalation. Rabbi Elishvitz suffered burns on his hands and mild smoke inhalation, while the counselors experienced minor physical injuries and shock. The fire completely destroyed the home and all possessions of the family, who have served the community through the Eastside Torah Center for nearly 18 years.

Rabbi Mordechai Farkash, director of the local Jewish center, described the loss as a severe blow to the community, noting the house had been a welcoming place for thousands of students and youth over two decades. Despite the trauma and loss, the counselors refused to leave, and the summer camp resumed as planned the following Monday with about 100 participants. The family also operates a Jewish school and Montessori preschools in Seattle. The community is currently raising funds to help the family rebuild their home and continue their outreach work.