Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre (Toronto)

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Investing Futures in

Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

Capital Campaign ROHR

JEWISH STUDENT CENTRE

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Dear Friend, Greetings!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre.

Founded in 2006, the JSC is a home away from home for hundreds of students at York University and York Region, and is an integral source of Jewish life, learning and celebration.

The estimated 5,000+ Jewish students in York Region come from a variety of backgrounds and affiliations, but they face more or less the same challenges: From the classrooms to the coffee shops, their identity as Jews — and therefore their Jewish future — is under assault by values that make religious identity and pro-Israel attitudes almost a crime. This pressure, often cloaked in the guise of “progressive” values as critique of Israel, is sometimes it is in the undercurrent and sometimes it is in-your-face, but the tension of being a young Jew today is always felt — on the university campus and beyond.

Throughout the year, 500 Jewish students of all backgrounds and affiliations connect to their heritage and tradition directly through the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre.

For many students, the JSC is about a personal relationship with a Rabbi or Rebbetzin; for some, it is about intellectually stimulating Torah study and Jewish wisdom; for others, it is about the spiritual and social pleasure of our weekly Shabbat dinner or a holiday program. For all our students, it is a positive presence on and off campus, and a meaningful, joyous connection to Judaism at a critical juncture in their lives.

Our goal is to enable even more students to experience this connection. We are now standing at the threshold of a tremendous opportunity, and for this we seek your partnership. We are under contract to purchase a property at the corner of Milner Gate and Bathurst Street in Thornhill. It is a great property in a prime location, and it will enable us to more than double our capacity. We plan to renovate the space into a beautiful student centre that will be accessible to all, which will enable Jewish students to better connect with each other and Judaism, and greatly enhance the quality of Jewish student life in York Region for many years to come.

It is our sincere hope that you will partner with us in building Jewish student life in York Region. The effort we put in today will last for generations. As our Sages teach, “Just as our parents have planted for us, so must we plant for our children.”

Wishing you all the very best, Rabbi Vidal and Chanah Leah Bekerman Directors, Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

Now: It’s up to

you!

June 2013: Agreement signed to purchase 6 Milner Gate, a bigger and better Chabad House for students.

The Rohr foundation pledges $300,000 for the project.

May 2013: First ever Jewnity event brings together Chabad, Aish, JLIC and Hillel for an all nighter of learning for Shavuot. Over 200 students attend.

August 2012: Several York students join the Bekermans together with 1,000 others college students for a five-day spiritual getaway at the National Jewish Retreat in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Feb 2012: Purim Shindig attracts 150 students.

Limited space becomes an impediment to continued growth and expansion of programs to meet the need.

Feb 2013: “Bagels and Beyond” Brunch N’ Learn for guys launched every Sunday morning.

Nov 2012: Shabbat 200 attracts close to 300 students.

Sept 2011: Sinai Scholars Society Fellowships is launched, enabling a select group of 20 students each semester to delve into an immersive learning and leadership program for 8 weeks.

Jan 2011: “Women & Wellness” monthly workshops launched.

June 2010: Inner Dimensions Dinner N’ Discussion launched, providing students every Wednesday night with food for thought.

Nov 2009: Shabbat dinner attendance doubles, attracting 30-50 students weekly, maximizing our usable space.

January 2009: Chabad launches the first annual Shabbat 100 event, which has since grown to almost 300 participants.

Dec 2008: First annual Can Menorah public lighting on campus with campus wide community participation.

Dec 2007: First “Winter C.H.I.L.L.” (Chabad Institute of Leisure & Learning) allowing for more casual social and learning events over the quieter Winter break.

April 2007: First matzah distribution on campus.

January 2007: “Schmooze Station” weekly tabling on campus is launched engaging hundreds of students at major hubs on campus

Oct 2010: “You be the Judge” Lunch N’ Learn launched at Osgoode Hall Law School Mar 2010: Kosher food bank is launched, catering to needy students and those on limited budgets.

August 2009: The off-campus home base relocates from the Bekermans small apartment into a bigger and better Chabad House at 350 Mullen Drive, enabling Chabad to host up to 50 students for Shabbat dinner, and 100 for standing only events.

June 2008: Summer C.H.I.L.L. launched (Chabad Institute of Leisure & Learning), allowing for more casual social and learning events over the quieter summer months.

Feb 2008: Mezuzah bank launched, allowing students to easily acquire mezuzahs for their dorm rooms.

March 2007: Purim Italiano, Chabad’s first large event, attracts 50 students.

February 2007: Weekly Lunch N’ Learn program begins on campus.

September 2006: Founding of Chabad @ York University.

The mission of the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre is to connect with every Jewish student at York University and York Region, regardless of background and affiliation, to ignite their spark and fan their flame of Judaism, helping them develop a personal relationship with their heritage that is full of understanding, meaning, joy and passion.

Capital Campaign

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thechallenge Jewish students on campus and beyond face unique challenges to their faith, identity, and spiritual heritage. In an academic and social environment that frequently encourages and rewards those who abandon their Jewish identity, students need friendship, peer support, spiritual answers, guidance, and a safe, nurturing space in which they can truly be themselves.

“The challenge for Jewish students is balancing sensitivity towards the individual while still remaining a community.”

“When [students] get to the huge university environment they want to feel part of a community again and that’s where fostering a Jewish identity is really important.”

— Rachel Greenspan, Shalom Hartman Institute

relationships

life choices

stress career apathy disillusionment

antisemitism addictions future? anti-israel

conflict

competition assimilation pressure ambiguity missionaries

loneliness

confusion

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Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

ourapproach The Chabad House is an open-house 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

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programs&services

Accessibility

friendship

shabbat EXPERIeNCE

Chabad regularly sets up a “Schmooze Station” table on main campus hubs and maintains regular drop-in office hours on and off campus so Rabbi Vidal and Chanah Leah can be as accessible as possible to the students. On any given afternoon, people may stop by to ask a question, do a mitzvah or just connect with the Rabbi.

This is also an opportunity for students to learn about Chabad and Jewish life on campus.

At Chabad being there for students isn’t just a job — it’s our life. We are ready to help in any way we can, including driving sick students to the hospital, helping with errands, and moving. Projects like “Chicken Soup Express” and “Birthday Cake Initiative” engage students in a warm, personal way. Oneon-one meetings with students range from casual discussions to serious counseling. Whatever their need, students know they have a place to turn to for friendship and advice.

Chabad’s flagship program, “Friday Night Live” Shabbat dinners has a unique feel - the sense of community and spirit is palpable. In addition to students enjoying themselves socially and spiritually, they also learn about the beauty of Shabbat and how to lead Shabbat dinners for their families in the future.

4 50 Students per week

4 30-50 students per week 4 1,500+ meals per year 4 Annual “Shabbat 300”

4 500 hours/year are spent one-on-one with students

SOCIAL EVENTS

LEADERSHIP

ISRAEL

Just for fun: Chabad sponsors social events that foster a sense of Ahavat Yisrael and community Outings include picnics, barbeques, Cocktail Shabbat kiddushes, and Jewnity games such as paintball and bowling.

On the Chabad student board, students gain leadership skills in our unique internship program, learning the importance of using their talents to help others, organize events and increase Jewish awareness on and off campus.

Chabad helps students develop a pride and love for Israel. Through guest lectures, conversation and our unique six-week Land and the Spirit course, students learn to appreciate the ancient gift and modern miracle of a Jewish homeland called Israel.

4 12 students are actively involved in running Chabad programs.

4 100 students/year engage through courses about Israel or visit Israel

4 30-40 students attend the average social event.

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Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

HERITAGE & holiday awareness

HOLIDAY CELEBRAtions & feasts

educational programs

Chabad brings the joy and meaning of Jewish traditions to the people by making sure that there is a fun and accessible way for students to celebrate Jewish Holidays. Special activities included caramel apple dipping for Rosh Hashanah, a Sukkah on and off campus featuring Sukkah hops, the Can Menorah public Menorah lighting on campus, our annual Purim Masquerade, and Matzah giveaways on Pesach. A tefillin and mezuzah bank, as well as a student Free Loan Society cater to the financial needs of students wishing to grow and get more involved Jewishly.

Chabad offers incredible holiday experiences designed to help students celebrate them properly, appreciate their importance and relevance, and discover the beauty and meaning of integrating them into their lives in a real way. Chabad offers free services, dinners and celebrations for every Jewish holiday during the school year.

As important as Torah study is in general, during the University years which is a time of intellectual growth, it is absolutely crucial. Chabad offers classes on a variety of Jewish texts and topics, special guest speakers, Women’s workshops, and on campus Lunch N’ Learns and off campus Dinner N’ Discussions. In addition, students can set up their own study sessions with Rabbi Vidal or Chanah Leah. Chabad offers two very popular semester long immersive courses: Sinai Scholars Society and JLearn.

4 500 Students per year

4 Rosh Hashana: 50 students 4 Sukkot: 75 students 4 Chanukah: 100 students 4 Purim: 150 students 4 Passover: 60 students 4 Lag BaOmer LagFest: 250 students 4 Shavuot all Nighter: 200 students

4 150 Students/year further their Jewish education through Chabad, on and off campus.

“I will never forget the first time I walked into the Bekerman home 4 years ago. My entire life changed that day, although I didn’t know it then.

Since then I have grown by leaps and bounds, and I feel like so much of it had to do with Rebbetsin Chanah Leah and Rabbi Bekerman.”

— Karen S., (2011) Capital Campaign

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The New ROHR

Chabad

Jewish Student Centre in Thornhill 3 Great Location

Right in the heart of Thornhill, one of North America’s fastest growing communities, and home to thousands of Jewish students within a 5km radius

Just for fun: Chabad sponsors social events that foster a sense of Ahavat Yisrael and community and create an opportunity for students to meet new friends and hang out with old ones. Outings include picnics, barbeques, Cocktail Shabbat kiddushes, and Jewnity games such as paintball and bowling.

3 Student Centre

A 24/7 student center with a separate entrance

3 Double the space

3,700ft2!

Centrally and strategically located right on Bathurst Street, with ample parking for hundreds of vehicles and public transit on our doorstep.

Great visibility to vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Bathurst Street

Welcoming street-level property, with a separate entrance to the student centre.

Large L-shaped garden along the back and side of the property with plenty of room for a large sukkah, outdoor lounges, barbecue parties, and other outdoor events.

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Staff living space is on-site, offering greater accessibility and flexibility.

Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

Three separate spaces means we can host up to three simultaneous programs.

Capital Campaign

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The New ROHR

Chabad

Jewish Student Centre in Thornhill Event Hall

Student Lounge

Foyer

Storage

Library & Shul

Office

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Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

Entrance

“Sinai Scholars this past semester was an awesome experience.

I learned so much about Judaism, things that I never knew or appreciated before about Judaism. Judaism (and the Bekermans) will definitely be a part of my life as I continue to grow.”

— Nathalie D. H. (2012)

“Thank you so much for being there for my daughter. You guys have helped her so much throughout this year. She really appreciates everything that you did for her, and continue to do.

I really have no words to express my appreciation.”

— Sara F., Parent (2013)

Welcome to the new 24/7 Chabad Jewish Student Centre!

We will be renovating the previous commercial space part of the facility plus, over 1,500 square feet, into a beautiful, inviting, student-friendly space, designed with the assistance of an interior designer.

Highlights include: • Event Hall: Large 1,000 ft2 space for events of up to 120 students • Library: Separate space for lectures, classes and prayers • Lounge: A lounge and computer area with free coffee, snacks and Wifi • Office: Offering privacy for one-on-one sessions during office hours and any time • Dining Area: For intimate dinners, classes and workshops • The entire student centre can be configured to accommodate 200 students

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impact!

We expect the new Student Centre to immediately double the number of students we can host for programs and events.

The new centre will enable more students to be involved more often.

old centre

vs

new centre

maximum event capacity

50

200

average shabbat dinner attendance 2,000/Year

40

75

3,200/Year!

drop-in center None

7

3

24/7!

simultaneous events Only 1

12

Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre

7

3

Up to 3!

+ Private Office

quality+quanity more students + better access + increased programs + stronger connections = greater

impact

Number of Students Served by Chabad Jewish Student Centre: New Chabad jewish student centre Impact on Organizational Reach

2012 current operations

2014 with new facility & expanded programs

2016 with new facility & expanded programs

500 Students

800 Students

1,500 Students Capital Campaign 13

Why Support Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre?

An Engine for Unity:

Skin in the Game:

Passion for Judaism:

At Chabad, failure is simply not an option. There is no escape strategy, and we are committed to serving our communities for as long as we live.

Chabad philosophy stresses how the purpose of creation and true personal happiness are achieved through the joyous performance of good deeds and the study of Torah.

Maximized ROI:

Track Record of Success:

The overwhelming majority of every dollar goes to actual work on the ground, benefiting thousands of Jewish people every year.

We are always thinking of how to become better at what we do. With your partnership and support, we can change the world!

At Chabad, a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. Period. End of story.

projectbudget expenses $728,000 Purchase & Related Expenses $65,000 Renovations & Furnishings $200,000 Operating Expenses (two years) $993,000 Total Capital Campaign Expenses

income $30,000 Pledges to Date $43,000 Chai Campaign $300,000 Rohr Foundation Grant $373,000 Total Income

$250,000 Mortgage

$370,000 Fundraising Goal

By giving to the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre, you become a partner in everything we do.

Capital Campaign 15

Thank you for generously partnering with us to transform Jewish student life on campus and beyond!

ROHR

JEWISH STUDENT CENTRE

Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre Serving Jewish students at York University and York Region Vidal & Chanah Leah Bekerman, Co-Directors 416.428.4577 | chabadatyork@gmail.com