Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies to Inaugurate Landmark $20 Million Campus in the Heart of Jerusalem

On Monday, December 8, 2025, the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies will celebrate the grand opening of the Mayanot World Center, marking a new chapter for Chabad’s flagship learning institution in Israel. Located across from Sacher Park in the heart of Jerusalem, the state-of-the-art $20 million Mayanot World Center campus will serve as a dynamic hub of Jewish learning, community, and global leadership development for the next generation of Jewish leaders.

“The grand opening of the Mayanot World Center comes at a time when Jewish identity is surging around the world,” said Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, Mayanot’s Executive Director. “Our vision is to continue nurturing students who will be leaders and innovators in their communities.”

The new building features an expansive Beit Midrash (study hall), spacious dining facilities, and a rooftop event space with sweeping views of Jerusalem. It also offers an outdoor garden and meditation space, a state-of-the-art gym, and dormitories for visiting students with kitchenettes on every floor. A dedicated Lone Soldier Center provides comfort and community for those serving in the IDF.

A Beacon of Strength in a Challenging Moment

Now approaching its 30th year, Mayanot has become synonymous with empowering young Jewish adults to build a deep, joyful, and resilient Jewish identity. As one of the largest Birthright Israel providers in the world, the institution has brought tens of thousands of young Jews to Israel, often serving as the gateway to a deeper exploration of Jewish heritage and community. The new World Center provides a permanent home that reflects the scale and international reach of Mayanot’s work.

“At Mayanot, we are committed to serious, text-based learning that develops knowledgeable, confident, and inspired Jews—young men and women who go on to become proud and effective leaders in their communities,” said Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner, Dean of the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies.

In the past year alone, Mayanot taught over 400 students from sixteen countries and ninety-four universities and offers more than eighty-five weekly classes for men and women. Altogether, the Mayanot community logged almost one million hours of Torah study, and tens of thousands from around the world continue to learn from home via Mayanot’s extensive catalog of online classes.

The expanded campus enables Mayanot to broaden its educational offerings in meaningful ways. Students will now have access to immersive study programs, Israel-advocacy seminars, internships, and volunteering opportunities that foster both intellectual and personal growth. They can also participate in Kabbalah and meditation workshops, and educational tours that bring the land and heritage of Israel to life.

Honoring the Visionaries

The grand opening ceremony will feature a reception at 1:00 pm followed by a 2:00 pm ribbon-cutting ceremony, building dedications, and a rooftop reception will follow. There will be a dedication of key spaces funded by lead investors, including The Koum Family Foundation; Yitzchak and Vika Mirilashvili; George and Pamela Rohr; Igor Tulchinsky; Rabbi Joseph I. and Stera Gutnick; Martin and Melanie Glatt, Haysha and Bassie Deitsch, Gustavo and Carina Lancewicki, David and Eda Schottenstein and additional partners whose generosity helped bring the vision of the Mayanot World Center to life.

“As Jews face unprecedented challenges worldwide – from college campuses to small town America – Mayanot empowers the next generation with Jewish pride, confidence and clarity of purpose.” said Mr. Yaakov Cohen, Mayanot’s Chairman of the Board,  “Mayanot has been called the Jewish world’s best kept secret. With the inauguration of the new campus, it won’t be a secret anymore.”