New Home For Illini Chabad Campus for Jewish Life And Living

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the U of I has been growing steadily since its inception on campus 17 years ago. The time has now come to expand their home to accommodate this growth and ensure Jewish students will always have a home away from home while away at school.

Illini Chabad, The Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the University of Illinois announced that they would be taking it to a whole new level, purchasing a 27,000 Sq ft new property located in the center of campus. Just a stone’s throw away from the main dorms and Greek Life, former Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house is easily accessible for all in the community. Rabbi Dovid and Goldie Tiechtel will continue their mission to create a home environment where everyone will feel welcome to join and participate in the many programs and activities Chabad has to offer. The investment demonstrates a strong commitment to Champaign-Urbana, said Rabbi Dovid,

The cost of the project is estimated at $7.1 million, with the cost of the building at $5.5 million, with the rest needed for renovations. $3.9 million has already been raised in pledges to the Chabad House.

“…This is a cooperative. Goldie and I, we put in the sweat equity. But we’re all in this together. We are going to be part of this game-changing historic opportunity for the largest Jewish student center in the world. A place that the entire East Central Illinois will be proud of as a JCC [Jewish Community Center] for all. A place where people of all backgrounds fit; and traditions can come together and learn about each other. A beacon, a house on a hill, shining on to the rest of our community. This will be a place that will shine.”