Zoning Board Hears Plans for New Chabad House

ALBANY, NY — For the fourth time in four years, a local synagogue is trying to get approval for a new building in Guilderland.

Plans to build a $1 million Chabad Center on Fuller Road were discussed at Wednesday’s Town Zoning Board meeting. But technical issues and concerns from residents, like parking and water drainage, have slowed the process.

The synagogue, called Shabbos House, is a place of prayer for many UAlbany students. They came out to show support, calling it their home away from home.

Rabbi Mendel Rubin said, “We have so many young people, college-aged students, gathered together for a spiritual, meaningful experience, and that’s rare. That doesn’t happen.”

The Rubins say if this proposal was for something other than a synagogue, the building would have been built a long time ago. But he is confident the town will grant the permits needed to move forward.