Benabou Renovates Simcha Hall

By COLlive reporter

While residents were vacationing over the summer months, the simcha hall at United Lubavitcher Yeshiva on Crown Street in Crown Heights went through a major renovation.

The goal of the swift undertaking was to have the work completed for the new school year.

Head of design Alyson Feldman explained that the newly constructed hall was created with commercial quality products so as to be an ideal location for the children of the boys school by day and a festive place to host a simcha at night.

The hall’s location at Albany Avenue and Crown Street and practical size has made the hall quite popular, as it is suitable for an array of celebrations – most notably Bar Mitzvahs, L’chaims, Brisim and Sheva Brochos. Community functions such as lectures and gatherings are regularly held there as well.

The hall was built over 20 years ago, however, and has not received a substantial renovation to keep pace with the wear and tear of the high traffic.

With the do-over, Feldman said, “not only did we modernize the large hall and hallway but were able to transform the washing area and restrooms, making it into an impressive and fully efficient place.”

The school’s director Rabbi Yosef Simpson has credited Itzik Benabou, a local grocery and real estate entrepreneur, for making the renovations possible with his generous contribution.

“Itzik has been consistently generous with many Crown Heights organizations, including his support of Lubavitcher Yeshiva,” Rabbi Simpson told COLlive.com.

“It was important to Itzik that we create a hall that was both beautiful, yet still affordable for the community to book future events there,” he said. “When people like Itzik see the importance of contributing to Yeshiva, they become partners in our endeavor to educate the next generation.”

Benabu, owner of Kol Tuv, Empire Kosher and other Crown Heights businesses, is working these days to open his new and modern supermarket that will offer an enjoyable shopping experience and catering for events.