Hedge fund manager and philanthropist David Slager has donated the renovation of Oholei Torah Talmudical Seminary’s dormitory building in Crown Heights.
Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld, Executive Director of Oholei Torah, described the sum as “a most generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. David Slager.”
British born Slager also supports Chabad on Campus UK, Chabad of Midtown Manhattan, Kol Menachem publishing house and others.
The dormitory building, located at 645 Eastern Parkway and attached to the western side of the Eastern Parkway Campus, was built as a 24-unit apartment building in 1910.
Not all of the building’s 24,000 square feet are being utilized at this time due to constraints of the original construction layout, an Oholei Torah official said.
Even with ongoing upkeep and renovations, the building falls far short of providing the proper comfort and safety for the 200 bochurim who come from all over the world.
Initial plans are to gut the entire building, leaving just the outside walls, excavate the basement, to build a modern, comfortable Mikvah, and add two complete floors to expand the primary divisions of the school.
The plans also call for refinishing the façade in the same look as the newer buildings in the campus.
Rabbi Yitzchok M. Kramer, Administrator, noted that this is the third major construction project in Oholei Torah in just over 10 years.
“It will add greatly to the comfort and general experience of the students who attend for the unique education found only in Oholei Torah Zal,” he added.
An advisory building committee has been formed, comprised of community members who are giving of their time to ensure that the quality and workmanship will be of the highest standards.
Committee members are Rabbi Kramer, Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld, Dovid Sputz, Avrohom Lokshin, Yanki Sufrin, Yankel Pinson, Moti Pinson, Mendel Lerman, Ari Chitrik and Yitzchok Rivkin.
Manhattan architect firm Simon Fouladian has been hired to draw up the plans and oversee the construction. Fouladian has an extensive portfolio of projects including a dormitory building for New York University.
As the building campaign kicks off, Oholei Torah is accepting contributions towards dedications, and partnerships for the various parts of the building. To inquire about dedications please contact Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld at 718-774-5050 ext. 2102.
elevator is very helpful for the disabled so they too can live please be considerate when commenting take care
May Hashem bless them!
May they be able to give more & more.
do u bored souls have to argue about everything?
BH. to #4 a person is forbidden to say a derogatery remark on another Jew, especially The Rebbe’s children, their mesiras nefesh of running around town and country to do a Jew a fafour is enough excersize for anybody. Think good, and it will be good.
dont be so quick to judge. there are boys in crown heights in wheelchairs and other physical disabilities….but Moshiach should be here by then and we wont need and elevator anyway!
To# 4 stop giving bad comments to people it’s disgusting you should be ashamed that you say such stuff to young boys where is your derech eretz
will there a sushi bar as well??
You’re a young pisher. Walking up and down stairs should be the minimum you do on a daily basis.
great news! is it to much to ask for an elevator?
It warms my heart when good pple. that have $$$ share it with those less fortunate
wow