New Facility at Lawrence Chabad House Provides Expanded Services for Jewish Students in Kansas

The Chabad House of Lawrence has been a safe place for Jewish students to practice their faith and build community for 18 years. Now, they are expanding with the new 10,000-square-foot Center for Jewish Life at the University of Kansas. The center will feature Lawrence’s first commercial kosher kitchen, dining hall, and study lounges. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new center was attended by community members, donors, students, and family members.
Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who has led the Chabad Center since 2006, expressed excitement about the expansion, emphasizing the importance of providing a welcoming space for students and community members regardless of their background or affiliation. The project has a budget of $6 million, with construction expected to take a year to complete.
KU junior Tyler Bermundo shared his experience of finding a sense of community within the Jewish community in Lawrence, calling it a home away from home. The Chabad House has received support from generous donors and the KU community, with more than half of the fundraising goal already achieved.
In a time of world conflict and discrimination, Rabbi Tiechtel believes the new center will serve as a vital resource for students to learn and build relationships across different backgrounds. Weekly Chabad dinners will continue at a different location during construction, and Tiechtel expressed excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead for the community.

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Photo credit kansasreflector.com