7 Years After Groundbreaking, Construction Begins

Seven years after a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility for Chabad of the East Valley, in Phoenix, AZ, construction has begun.

After a lull caused by a change of architectural designs, planning delays with the city of Chandler, and – the biggest challenge, according to Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, the Chabad director – slower-than-projected fundraising, building of the Chabad Pollack Jewish Center is under way. It is scheduled to open in March 2013.

In 2001, the East Valley Chabad purchased 2 1/2 acres of land at McClintock and Ray roads in Chandler. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sept. 18, 2005, but “with the downturn in the economy, it was put on hold while waiting for the economy to recover,” said Michael Pollack, a Valley developer who chairs the building committee and is the lead contributor to the project. The center, at 875 S. McClintock Road, is named in his honor.

The 15,900-square-foot “full-service Jewish center” will include a sanctuary, classrooms, a book library, a small gift shop and a kosher kitchen, Deitsch said. The grounds will also include a children’s playground and an open patio.

The project’s total cost is about $2.7 million, Deitsch said.

“We have raised over $1 million to date from many incredibly generous individuals who have stepped up during these challenging economic times and helped us reach this point.” There is an additional $350,000 in pledges, he said, and a $1.7 million loan from MidFirst Bank is being used to complete the building. Funds raised in a capital campaign now under way will go toward repaying the loan.

Kroll Contractors Inc. is the general contractor.

“It’s a beautiful modern building with all the amenities, and the community is excited, but we certainly need help to finalize it,” Deitsch said.

Until now, Chabad of the East Valley has held its programs at different sites: religious services in a storefront, Sunday school in classrooms at the East Valley JCC, summer camp at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, and holiday programs at various venues.

“The new building will have everything under one roof,” said Arlen Korer, who has been involved with Chabad for three years and is assisting the rabbi with construction and finance aspects of the project. “It will be a beautiful facility.”

Plans to add a mikvah are in the works as a second phase of the project, said Deitsch.

“There are many opportunities for people to get involved,” he wrote in an email, “and to make a difference in the future of the Jewish people by being a pioneer in this young yet thriving community.”

About 120 families are active in Chabad’s programs, Deitsch said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the congregation continue to grow and to see more people enjoying the facility and all the events it will be able to accommodate,” Pollack said. “This is a very exciting time. … I can’t wait for the dream to become a reality.”

Follow the building process on Chabad of the East Valley’s Facebook page or make a donation at chabadcenter.com.