In the next year or two, Chabad at the University of Central Florida will have a newly designed community to call home, adjacent to the university.
The Rabbi of Chabad at UCF, Chaim Lipskier, said the new facility will consist of a 3000+ square foot ballroom, library, student lounge, kosher kitchen and many other student amenities.
“Our mission is to provide everything Jewish for students on campus,” Lipskier said. It will bring added diversity, culture and informational learning on new ideas.”
Chabad at UCF was established in October of 2006 to allow college students to participate in their heritage. There is an active Jewish student organization on campus known as Chabad Jewish Student Group that represents and is affiliated with Chabad at UCF.
The new facility will address a solution to the main problem of the current location—too little space.
“Students use to tell me that the current space is too tight or they have to miss an event because it’s going to be too packed and it’s not that comfortable,” he said. “It provides us with more room for us to grow and continue to serve the UCF community in a better way.”
Rachel Huss, freshman international global studies major, said she is looking forward to having Judaism become more accessible for the UCF student population.
“I’m excited to see and meet more people as Chabad and the house expands,” she said. “The only thing lacking at the current location is adequate space for its growing population.”
According to Lipskier, one of the main benefits of the new facility is its location on Alafaya Trail. The new center will be sandwiched between University House and Homewood Suites on the busy freeway, providing visibility compared to the current location.
Lipskier said Chabad at UCF isn’t exclusively for Jewish students, it’s a place where all students from all walks of life can come to the events.
“It’s a family on campus,” he said. “It’s a place where students can find a home away from home.”
For more information about this project, sponsorship or dedication opportunities please visit jewishucf.com or call Rabbi Lipskier at 407-310-8876.
