Chabad House at Columbia University

The Chabad House

at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Capital Campaign

At 18 years old, I felt so confident and prepared to leave my parents, to leave my home, and live life my way. As my parents hugged me goodbye and got into their car, emptied of my belongings, I was shocked at my own tears and the hollow feeling in my gut. I had been so ready.

That unsettling feeling of separation, transition, and independence visited me again 20 years later when I brought my eldest daughter to her first dorm room. I hugged her goodbye and got into my car emptied of her belongings. My tears, each one a word of love or wisdom I have not yet shared with her, still flow at the memory of parting. It hurt a lot more the second time around.

As it turned out, I wasn’t ready to be self-sufficient and neither is my daughter. Is anyone ever ready to be without the support of family and community? My parents left me on my campus parking lot, but they didn’t leave me alone.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, my parents had set in motion the most meaningful gift I would ever receive. They called the Chabad on Campus Rabbi who then reached out to welcome me. They had linked me into the chain of Jewish tradition—the warmth of a Jewish home and the love and concern of the Rabbi and Rebbetzin.

As the Chabad emissaries to Columbia University since 1997, my husband Rabbi Yonah and I are here for you and your children. The college years present a wondrous time of development and transition during which we serve myriad roles including teacher, liaison, counselor, and safety net between a student’s childhood home and the home they will eventually establish.

We look forward to hearing from you and working in partnership to create the best home away from home for Columbia’s Jewish young adults, your children!

Rebbetzin Keren Blum

OURMISSION The Chabad House at Columbia University aims to be a thriving center of student activities, where members of the Columbia University community can experience Judaism in ways that are accessible, timelessly relevant, and personally meaningful, and which inspire and empower them in their unique missions to impact the world for good.

“Chabad is one of the most honorable, sincere, and uplifting places on campus. To these I attribute the magnitude of their success in reaching out to students and faculty of diverse backgrounds. I have long supported the unparalleled work of Rabbi Yonah and Keren Blum at Chabad at Columbia and am honored to be a part of the team.”

— Zvi Galil, former Dean of Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science

OURHISTORY 1960s & 1970s In the 1960s, Chabad begins occassional, informal activities and classes on campus.

In the 1970s, Chabad begins regular ongoing programs on campus.

1980s Rabbi Shlomo Kugel is sent as the first full-time shliach, Chabad emissary, to Manhattan. He starts Chabad at Columbia University then directs focus and resources toward development of Chabad of the West Side.

1990s A New Era

Rabbi Blum is hired in 1997 to revitalize Chabad at Columbia University. In 1998, Rabbi Yonah & Keren Blum move into the first Chabad House at Columbia, a modest onebedroom apartment.

RABBI YONAH BLUM has spent the past 18 years living and working on a college campus. He possesses the unique qualities of idealism, optimism, and genuine love of his fellow — qualities needed to thrive in a college environment. Hailing from Potomac, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C., Rabbi Blum connected with Chabad while in high school. After graduation, he enrolled in the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey. His rabbinic studies spanned five years in several rabbinical colleges, including the famous Central Yeshiva 770, where he received rabbinic ordination. A pioneer in campus outreach, Rabbi Blum enjoyed two years as a rabbinic intern in the picturesque, five-college town of Amherst, Massachusetts from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he accepted the position of full-time campus Rabbi at Chabad at Columbia University. From his humble beginnings as a commuting strap-hanger, Rabbi Yonah has grown Chabad to become a thriving communal center for Torah learning, social networking, and personal growth.

Rabbi Blum’s vision for the future of The Chabad House at Columbia University includes expanding the resources, staff, and programming offered to the nearly 10,000 Jewish members of the Columbia community.

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The Chabad House at Columbia University

REBBETZIN KEREN BLUM’s first spoken language is Yiddish; Hebrew is her second, though it would never be apparent upon initially meeting her. A Brooklyn native, Keren grew up in a small family of immigrant parents and grandparents. Her diverse education experiences included Yeshiva of Flatbush, public school, Hampshire College, and Machon Chana Women’s Institute. She earned a Bachelor degree in the study of Nutrition and Poverty and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College Columbia University. Her passions include social justice work, learning, and more recently raising the five Blum children to be the finest expressions of humanity they can possibly achieve. Keren joined Rabbi Blum as the Rebbetzin at Chabad at Columbia University in 1997 when they married.

2000s Growth Chabad’s programs and services expand progressively; both the Blums and the Chabad House become fixtures of the campus community.

In 2005, Rabbi Blum is appointed by Columbia University as an official Religious Life Advisor.

In 2009, Rebbetzin Blum is appointed as well.

2006-2009 New Building In 2006, the brownstone at 625 West 113th Street is acquired for use as the new Chabad House. During the first three years, only 40% of the space can be used.

In 2009, 100% of the Chabad House becomes available for Chabad use.

2012-2013 Looking Forward In 2012, Chabad celebrates fifteen years on campus with its first Gala Dinner. Honored are two Nobel Laureates and the Blums for their years of service at Columbia University.

In 2013, Chabad launches a capital campaign for new growth and to complete the purchase and renovation of The Chabad House at Columbia University.

Capital Campaign

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OURCHALLENGE The Columbia University experience brings excitement along with increased challenges and rewards. As a fast-paced ivy league campus where intellectual and social life is amplified by the intensity of the surrounding City of New York, Jewish students face unique challenges to their faith, identity and spiritual heritage. In an environment that frequently encourages and rewards abandonment of faith in G-d while placing value almost exclusively on secular ideas, students need spiritual answers, guidance, and a safe, nurturing space in which they can truly be themselves.

RELATIONSHIPS

LIFE CHOICES

STRESS CAREER APATHY DISILLUSIONMENT

ANTISEMITISM ADDICTIONS FUTURE? ANTI-ISRAEL

CONFLICT

COMPETITION ASSIMILATION PRESSURE AMBIGUITY

LONELINESS

CONFUSION

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The Chabad House at Columbia University

OURAPPROACH The Chabad model of outreach is world renowned. The Chabad House is an openhouse for weekly learning, socializing, and Shabbat and Holiday celebrations. It is the warmest home away from home, where traditional Jewish values permeate the atmosphere and each student is welcomed without judgement or expectations.

Inspiring and thought-provoking insights on Torah teachings with modern-day applications are shared to encourage students to pursue their individual journeys and examine their active role in our collective experience as a Jewish people.

The Chabad approach tends to the well-being of the whole person: physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

LOVE

WARMTH

FAMILY

INSPIRATION

COMMUNITY

SPIRITUALITY

STRENGTH CLARITY

DIRECTION

FRIENDSHIP

OPTIMISM WISDOM

JOY

Capital Campaign

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“Chabad at Columbia was my home away from home.”

— Benjy Cuby, Columbia Business School Class of 2005

OURPROGRAMS

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CULTURE & TRADITION

EDUCATION & AWARENESS

FRIENDSHIP & SUPPORT

COMMUNITY BUILDING

The Chabad House at Columbia University

OURCENTER 5Floors 2 7,000ft

+ Rooftop Terrace + Basement

= Infinite

Possibility Centrally Located at 625 W. 113th Str. in the heart of Columbia University

FUTURE PLANS: Gut renovation to improve the design and functionality of the property to integrate the floors and create the ideal space that will serve all of the needs.

Capital Campaign

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OURPLANS

BEFORE

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The Chabad House at Columbia University

“From the minute I walked in to the house, I knew I had what I had spent months looking for–a truly open, welcoming community, with a diverse group of participants.”

— JP Kaytrosh, Chabad on Campus Alumnus

AFTER

Courtesy of SCH+ARC Studio

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE As part of our commitment to fiscal responsibility and socially conscious leadership,

Chabad has commissioned an environmental study to explore ways in which The

Chabad House can become more environmentally sustainable. Using some of the most creative and urban-friendly methods and materials, Chabad will reduce water, energy and overall consumption.

Use of wind, solar, and even human energy -

from foundation to roof — will enable Chabad to employ environmentally sound practices which will prove to be an excellent financial investment over the long-term.

The sustainability plan was created by Nathan Winkler, SEAS, of Green Light LLC.

Capital Campaign 11

OURFUTURE WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED: In 2006 we acquired our townhouse near Columbia’s main campus and began the process of negotiating exit deals with existing tenants. We now have

the entire building available and have completed major electrical upgrades,

added boiler efficiency technology, and opened the second floor space. But the mortgage debt required for the purchase is hampering operations, comprising 34% of the annual budget.

CURRENT OPERATING COSTS DEVELOPMENT 10%

STAFF 9% MORTGAGE 34%

OFFICE & ADMIN 10%

CURRENT GOAL:

BURNTHE

PROGRAMMING 14%

MORTGAGE!

BY MAY 2015 $1.5 MILLION

2013 GALA 12%

MAINTENANCE & UTILITIES 11%

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MARKETING 2% BANKING & CREDIT 1%

The Chabad House at Columbia University

WHAT WE NEED NOW: We are now seeking funding to complete the renovations and pay off the

mortgage so 100% of revenue can be used for what we do best – providing innovative and inspiring programs that strengthen Jewish life at Columbia University.

FUTURE OPERATING COSTS OFFICE & ADMIN 10%

DEVELOPMENT 10%

PROGRAMMING 43%

STAFF 26%

MAINTENANCE & UTILITIES 11%

MORTGAGE 0%

MARKETING 2% BANKING & CREDIT 1%

Capital Campaign 13

OURNEED $1,500,000 Mortgage and Loans (due May 2015) $3,300,000 Renovations & Furnishings ($350 x 8400 sq ft) $700,000 Administrative costs (over five years) $5,500,000 Total

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The Chabad House at Columbia University

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES An opportunity to create a lasting legacy at The Chabad House at Columbia University

TREE OF LIFE Gold Leaf: $10,800

Silver Leaf: $7,200

Bronze Leaf: $3,600

By giving to The Chabad House at Columbia University, you become a partner in everything we do.

Invest in futures.

Every contribution to The Chabad House at Columbia University is an investment in the future of the Jewish people.

Thank you for your partnership.

The Chabad House

at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

625 West 113 Street, New York, NY 10025 212-531-3999 | ChabadStudentCenter.com Rabbi Yonah Blum, Co-Director RabbiBlum@columbia.edu

Rebbetzin Keren Blum, Co-Director Rebbetzin@columbia.edu