Beth Elisheva Capital Campaign

The

Jewish Heart Thailand of

THE ZERNER CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

imagine...

THAILAND. Formerly Siam.

For Westerners, it evokes images of an exotic and colorful land, far-flung and foreign, a place for young adventurers to escape.

Jewish Thailand?

It’s beyond what you might imagine.

Jewish life in Thailand is vibrant, multi-faceted, fast-paced, and growing by leaps and bounds.

And the Jewish Association of Thailand, located in Bangkok’s financial, shopping, and entertainment hub, is at the heart of it all, infusing the community with vitality, warming and energizing the lives of hundreds of Jewish residents and thousands of visitors throughout the year.

BUILDING UPON A

Solid Foundation The strong roots planted by pioneering members of the Thailand Jewish community provide fertile ground for us to expand and uplift Jewish life in Thailand as never before.

“It was a week before Rosh Hashana.. we had no one to lead... that’s when we turned to Chabad… it created a steady community….”

—Ruth Gerson, (wife of Mike Gerson O.B.M. Former President of the Jewish Association of Thailand)

BETH ELISHEVA The centerpiece of the Beth Elisheva Zerner Campus is the city’s oldest existing synagogue. It was founded upon the vision of the late Mrs. Elizabeth (Elisheva) Zerner, Thai-born daughter of Thailand’s first official Jewish citizens, the Rosenbergs.

More than fifty years ago, Mrs. Zerner donated a piece of land, upon which stood a flimsy wooden house to serve as the synagogue for Thailand’s fledgling Jewish community. Upon her passing, Mrs. Zerner bequeathed funds to the community to replace the wooden structure with a three-story concrete building, which was completed in 1980. Though at the time, she was one of only a handful of Jewish people in Bangkok, she had the foresight and imagination to envision a bright future for her beloved community.

A CENTER FOR JEWISH CONNECTIONS The Zerner Campus will serve as the central address for Jewish life in busy Bangkok, offering

In 1993, Rabbi Yosef Chaim and Nechama Dina

visitors and locals alike a welcoming destination

Kantor, with the guidance and blessing of the

for every stage of life. It serves as home to

Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel

the Jewish Association of Thailand for the

Schneerson, of blessed memory, accepted an

hundreds of local residents as well as thousands

invitation by the Jewish community of Thailand to

of visitors from all over the globe every year.

serve as its leaders. Central to their mission is the

From a magnificent new sanctuary to a fascinating museum, the Zerner Campus will energize Thailand with joyful and dynamic Judaism.

“When Chabad came, it

love for a fellow Jew. They embraced their mission with passion, to provide spiritual, material, and social support for all Jews throughout the country. Today, Rabbi Kantor, Thailand’s chief rabbi, oversees an ever-expanding range of Jewish activities in Bangkok and across Thailand conducted by eleven Chabad couples as well as numerous rabbinical students.

changed everything and made a full Jewish life

“Rabbi & Mrs. Kantor arrived… it’s

possible in Thailand.”

what has been driving the Jewish

—Abi Kashani, President of The Jewish

community to stay together for the

Association of Thailand—Beth Elisheva

last twenty plus years.”

—Aaron Frankel, Founding CEO of Groovy Gear

Nearly five times larger than the former structure, the majestic new Zerner Campus will soar beyond the imagination, reflecting both the dynamic community it serves today and offering a beautiful and expansive center for generations to follow.

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW ZERNER CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE

Sanctuary The new Beth Elisheva sanctuary will be a crown jewel, attracting diverse congregants to services conducted with reverence and joy. The spacious and bright sanctuary, with grand entryways, will be a place of community connection, personal reflection, and soulful worship. Even during the high holidays, the shul will comfortably accommodate the hundreds of worshipers who traditionally gather.

“Shabbat at Beth Elisheva gives us a guiding light for the rest of the week.”

—Immanuel Feldman

Celebrate Our community will gather to rejoice in an impressive and roomy venue, comfortably seating 400, to celebrate life cycle events, from brit ceremonies to bar and bat mitzvahs, as well as Shabbat and holiday meals, Passover seders, or any other special occasions.

“Growing up as a Jewish girl in Thailand was a great experience.

I was part of the very first Sunday school class. It made me feel much more Jewish, it gave me a sense of belonging.”

—Naava Cohen nee Kashani, born and raised in Thailand

“I was born in Thailand, and when it came to the time of my Bar Mitzvah, Rabbi Kantor was there for me.” —Paul Keen

Discover Recognizing that children are the future of our community, our education wing is a major component of the new center. Dedicated teachers will foster the children’s understanding and love for their Jewish heritage in a bright and cheery environment. Adjacent to the sanctuary, the education wing will feature spacious classrooms, a children’s playroom, a youth lounge, a rooftop playground, and a library in which to explore the wealth of Jewish heritage. Broad staircases and secure elevators will provide convenient access from story to story.

“Our daughter goes to the Hebrew school. It’s incredible to see that here in this strange country, she comes back home with Torah verses. It warms our hearts.” —Tracy J.

Enjoy Kosher For the growing number of kosher-observant families in Bangkok, obtaining a Yahrzeit candle, a simple tub of hummus or a bottle of wine for kiddush used to require a lengthy outing.

The new JCafe/Kosher Shoppe has changed that. Creating a hub for kosher food and a community meeting space. The new home of the JCafe will be in this new campus.

Immerse Our new state-of-the-art mikvah complex will serve the growing community with three important components: a women’s mikvah with three exquisite dressing rooms in a modern spa-like setting a new men’s mikvah a mikvah for immersing vessels

Honor End-of-Life Traditions The campus will house the community’s Chevra Kadisha, which honors our departed loved ones with traditional rites while providing solace and compassion for families undergoing loss.

“I turned to Rabbi Kantor when I needed to bury my uncle. It’s not just a burial, it’s the whole process. The community was there for me.” —Richard Burns

“The Jewish Center in Thailand is so vital as visitors who pass through when they are “on holiday”, are so open to reflection and introspection..”

—Mark S, Visitor from Australia/Israel

“Chabad of Thailand helps Jews who are unaffiliated feel they are a part of the Jewish community.”

—Eli Gurfel, Businessman & Philanthropist residing in Thailand

Sharing Our Heritage THAILAND JEWISH MUSEUM and CULTURAL CENTER Judaism is a source of fascination and illumination to people of all faiths. A series of special exhibits and activities will be geared to the students of international schools in Thailand.

These students, who are destined to assume positions of influence in the future, will discover the beauty and moral clarity of Judaism. Nearly one thousand students per year are anticipated to benefit from these programs.

The Jewish community of Thailand has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 17th century. Despite its small size, the Jewish community has made significant contributions to the economy and cultural life of Thailand.

This state of the art cultural center, designed by world acclaimed museum designer Eliav Nachlieli, will offer visitors a window into Jewish culture and values, as reflected by the development of the multi-faceted Thai Jewish community.

Members of the local Jewish community as well as visitors from abroad will be engrossed by the journey through Thai Jewish life over the centuries.

Nearly

1000

students are expected to benefit from this program annually.

“After a while, the journey stopped being just a geographical movement, it started being more of a spiritual journey, to realize what is happening inside and what is important in life.”

— One of 100,000+ young Jewish adventurers served by Chabad who pass through Thailand annually.

floor plans

FIRST FLOOR

Main Sanctuary, Weekday Sanctuary, Rabbi’s Office, Library

LIBRARY

RABBI’S OFFICE

PLAZA

BELOW GROUND

MAIN SANCTUARY

WEEKDAY SANCTUARY

30-car parking garage over two floors of underground space

GROUND FLOOR

Grand Entrance, Retail Space, Lobby, Mikvah

SECOND FLOOR

Museum and Cultural Center, Lecture Hall

MEN’S MIKVAH WOMEN’S MIKVAH

LOBBY MUSEUM RETAIL

ENTRANCE PARKING ENTRY

LECTURE HALL

total building area 4,640 m² | 50,000 ft²

THIRD FLOOR

FIFTH FLOOR

Main Ballroom

Educational Center, Grade Classrooms, Faculty Offices FACULTY OFFICE

KITCHEN

EVENTS HALL EDUCATIONAL CENTER

CLASSROOMS

FOURTH FLOOR

Main Kitchen, Administration Offices, Storage Area

STORAGE

ROOF

Recreational Area, Rooftop Lounge

OFFICE SUITES PLAYGROUND CONFERENCE ROOM

MAIN KITCHEN

EVENTS SPACE

PLAYING FIELD

empower

Please join us as we embark upon an historic undertaking to create an enduring edifice for our Jewish community, the Zerner Campus for Jewish Life:

the heart of Jewish Thailand.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Rabbi Yosef C. Kantor 121 Soi Sai Nam Thip 2, Sukhumvit Soi 22 Bangkok, Thailand Phone: (66) 81 837 7618 Email: rabbi@jewishthailand.com