After 17-Month Search, Chabad at Binghamton University Has New Permanent Home

by CrownHeights.info

Seventeen months and many long days of searching has finally paid off, with Chabad of Binghamton University signing the papers to purchase a permanent home.

“Our sincere thanks for the continuous outpouring of friendship, support, and love throughout this process exhibited by alumni, parents (past and current), community members, and current students,” Rabbi Aaron Slonim, the Shliach to the University wrote on social media. “TOGETHER we are making amazing things happen for the Jewish students in Downtown Binghamton.”

Centrally located in the heart of Downtown along the Chenango river, the purchase of this building is one of 1210 new centers and initiatives established globally marking 120 years since the Rebbe’s birth, and will be a total game changer for Jewish life in Downtown Binghamton.

With 15,000 SF to be used for the activities and programs of Chabad, the new location will provide the means to reach hundreds more students living in the DT and West Side area and tend to their needs in a greater and deeper way. And with plans to gut the building and rebuild, the story of this Chabad House has just begun.

In November of 1984, Rabbi Aaron and Rivkie Slonim moved to Binghamton, NY with their baby, Levi Yitzchok, to open a Chabad House. From the start, it was clear they would dedicate most of their efforts to serve the needs of the large population at what was then SUNY Binghamton. Remarkably, although the Jewish demographic comprised almost fifty percent of the student body there was no organization meeting the needs of the Jewish students.

Very quickly, the Chabad House grew, attracting larger and larger groups of students each semester. The tipping point came in the early 90’s when Binghamton was recognized as a credible option for students who cared deeply for Jewish life on campus. The Chabad Center, the infrastructure of services, resources and amenities kept growing as did the number of students from all points across the country who were attracted to Binghamton specifically for its robust Jewish community.

To partner financially on this monumental project or for more info, email lslonim@jewishbu.com