Plans to renovate Chabad Center in near future

Plans to renovate Chabad Center in near future

By: Jacob Greenberg
Issue date: 9/1/06 Section: News

This summer, Washington University's Chabad on Campus found a new residence adjacent to the South 40, at 7018 Forsyth Blvd., with renovation plans to commence in the near future.

For almost four years, Chabad was located approximately one and a half blocks away from campus on the 7200 block of Forsyth. The initiative to move sites came from "a clear recognition that there was a demand among the student population for what Chabad was offering," said director Rabbi Hershey Novack.

The previous facilities were far too small and geographically inconvenient, according to Novack. "The new space will be large, close, and permanent."

Although Chabad moved into the new center in July 2006, renovations are not scheduled to begin until November. Construction and renovations are estimated to cost $270,000 in total. Already, Washington University parents have raised $100,000.

"We are finishing the leadership phase of development and transitioning to the public phase," said Novack. Only after the project has been fully funded will renovations begin.

The Chabad Center is currently able to serve 45 guests. After renovations are completed, the ground level of the house will be handicap accessible, and will comfortably accommodate 150 for Shabbat dinner, prayer, and learning.

The new center will also feature a full lounge/library, which will remain open 24-7 for students, and an industrial kitchen, where cooking classes will be held for University members.

Many student ideas were implemented into the new design plan, including a family style dining room and a reception area.

"The new facility will allow Chabad to serve more people and do so in richer, more engaging ways," said Dr. Stuart Greenbaum, Bank of America Professor of Managerial Leadership.

Renovations will be completed in stages, allowing Chabad to remain fully functional during the remodeling process. By spring, Chabad hopes to open the main dining room. Other additions and renovations are projected for completion by summer 2007.

Aside from renovations, Chabad also looks forward to creating a connection with its new neighbors in the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. "We are working to build a relationship with the local chapter which is historically Jewish and the national organization," said Novack.

ZBT supports all of Chabad's efforts, said junior Justin Snyder, president, but there are no plans to create an official affiliation.

"Although ZBT is historically Jewish, only about 50% of our current members are Jewish," said Snyder. "We don't want to alienate any members, past, present, or future."

Chabad's role on campus "is to advise recognized student groups and - like all other religious groups - offer off-campus services to students, faculty, and community members," said Novack.

Chabad is one the fastest growing Jewish organizations on college campuses, having nearly tripled in campus presence in the past five years. It recently opened its 100th campus location

"We [Chabad] find fertile ground [in universities] for our signature approach of offering inclusiveness coupled with a strong sense of tradition," said Novak.

Chabad has a very strong mission of bringing people back to the faith, said Greenbaum. "Chabad also tends to have a more focused approach than Hillel. Chabad appeals to a different part of the community and in a different way."

Students said they see great potential for Chabad's new location. "College students can be lazy," said Ariela Schmidt, undergraduate and president of the Chabad Student Association. "The closer location should attract more people."