By COLlive reporter
Iggud Talmidei Hakvutza, a non profit organization founded by 770 Alumni and Yungerleit, is in contract to buy the dormitory building at 749 Eastern Parkway which serves the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch.
The sale from the United Lubavitch Yeshiva administration is set to become final with the approval of the Attorney General of New York, a spokesperson for the Iggud told COLlive.
The Iggud Talmidei Hakvutza is a group of businessmen in Crown Heights, who have formed a group to make changes for the betterment of the Yeshiva as well as the community, after they noticed many areas which needed improvement.
“The Yeshiva has been downsizing, accepting less and less bochurim every year. There have been no new hires in many years,” the source told COLlive. “We want to reshape the way the Yeshiva functions. We also wanted to see changes in the neighborhood, so we have stepped up to make it happen,” he said.
Since the Iggud has become involved, they have arranged for various dormitories to be set up around Crown Heights, with 200 beds in total available for students, and have been involved in the day-to-day care of the students.
The dormitory building at 749, across the street from Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway has been “neglected for years,” he said. “There has been no hanholah oversight, no enforcement of rules, and bills have gone unpaid.”
There was a time when bochurim themselves were raising money to pay for the electricity and other expenses, he said. This is in addition to the many fines from the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department, for many violations which have been in the deteriorating building for years.
The Iggud will purchase the building from United Lubavitch Yeshiva for $3 million, and they will be spending an additional $3 million in legal fees, remedying the violations, and doing major renovations. They will be holding a fundraiser in the near future to help defray the cost of the project, which is expected to take 1 – 2 years.
Even while still in contract, the Iggud has already begun the much-needed repairs to the building, due to the safety hazards which currently exist and the requirements of the Dept of Buildings. The building has New York City Landmark status, making it even more complex to accomplish the work.
The day-to-day operation of the building, even after the sale is final, will not change, the Iggud stresses.
“The building will remain a dormitory for the bochurim of Tomchei Temimim,” they said.
More kvutzahniks? If so, let’s hope this whole thing is not a waste of money! I don’t understand why these Israelis need their own program here in the first place, given how it has become a thorn in the community’s side. Why can’t all bochurim seeking to learn at 770 (including these Israelis) just apply to all the *other existing* programs for bochurim in Crown Hts., just like Canadians, South Americans, Europeans, Australians, etc. do? Those who are accepted get to come — and they have to respect the rules of the yeshiva. And those who are not accepted find… Read more »
The Rebbe encouraged Kvutza. It is the chance for Israeli bochurim to be by the Rebbe for a year. 749 was full of Israelis ever since I remember.
Maybe if there isn’t enough places for American bochurim, the new vaad can come up with a solution or more buildings.
הריני מקבל עלי מצות עשה של ואהבת לרעך כמוך
Just think about these words. Problem solved!
The students of the Rebbe deserve the best
Crown Heights needs the Israeli bochurim without them Crown Heights has low energy chayus.
They need more buildings for dormitories.
Let’s keep the comments positive . To the Iggud , thank you for stepping up and taking charge of a monster project like this. May you go from strength to strength. This will lead to having quality bachurim and a boost to the yeshiva . It should be with mazal.
Is there a name of a person associated with this, so that we can know who is behind this? Full transparency is always healthy.
Phone: +1-737-708-7707
Email: [email protected]
1214 Sterling Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Phone: +1-737-708-7707
Email: [email protected]
1214 Sterling Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Can someone explain clearly – without beating around the bush:
Is this unknown “Iggud”, from the Messianic persuasion buying the building for the Tzffatim, to have their headquarters , or is this people really trying to help Israeli normal bochrim having a place to sleep ?
https://www.kvutze.org
The website does not offer WHO are the people organizing and producing this effort. And it’s unclear in this whole picture, whether this is specifically for Kvutza bochurim or any bochur from Israel, or why “the kvutza’ should have separately designated space ETC more than any other bochur coming from outside NY or internationally.
Phone: +1-737-708-7707
Email: [email protected]
1214 Sterling Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11213
There is a reason that the yeshiva has not taken care of the building. The building was taken over by bochurim and they would not listen to the yeshiva. .
its true the hanahla has for years neglected the building I was involved over 20 years ago when some upgrades were done including the current fire suppression system. it is a fact that the Hanhala has never really cared about gashmiyus. original kevutza bachurim were separate & were learning in Chovevi torah before that was turned into an additional high school putting the Bachurim in 770 does anyone remember what 1414 looked like & how long it took The Hanhala until they were forced to renovate those buildings??
Hopefully the effort to better this building will spread and that the entire yeshiva aspects of 770 is overhauled and improved, including dormitory, accountability, curriculum, staff…
Open your arms to host, invite for shabbos, help, befriend and give a hand to bochurim from abroad lav davka israelis, you have no idea the pain of being ‘alone’ in a completely new place, and without enough resources.
Its easier said than done, im not saying donate money and thats it, but what im referring its to a personal care, a smile and a “welcome to ch” does wonders,
And with time you will see your inital efforts paid back, help learning with a son, extra help before or after shabbos, etc etc
Best part of the article is the fact that even new York state recognizes 749 as a landmark! 😁