Court Rules in Favor of Chabad Center Before Gimmel Tammuz

By COLlive reporter

In a landmark development for the Jewish community of Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts, Chabad has received the Special Permit to build its long-awaited Center for Jewish Life at 100 Bellingham Road.

Judge Kevin T. Smith of the Massachusetts Land Court issued an order vacating the previous denial by the Brookline Zoning Board of Appeals. The order, which has already been filed, marks a major turning point following a lengthy legal battle.

The Town of Brookline conceded that the zoning denial was “arbitrary, capricious, and in violation of laws protecting religious institutions.” With that, the Court granted Chabad the zoning relief needed to move forward with construction.

Rabbi Mendy and Grunie Uminer, directors of Chabad at Chestnut Hill, shared the joyous news with their community on Friday, ahead of Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s yartzeit.

“This is a momentous and long-awaited victory for our community,” they wrote. “We are building a home for G‑d — a center for community, for connection, for life and for celebration.”

The Uminers praised their attorney Jeffrey Allen for his tireless work on the case, calling his strategy and dedication “brilliant” and “unwavering.”

With the zoning hurdle now behind them, architectural and construction teams are moving quickly to finalize building plans. Construction is expected to begin this September, with a community-wide groundbreaking ceremony in the works.

The upcoming Chabad center is envisioned as a spiritual and communal hub for Jewish life in Chestnut Hill — a space for prayer, learning, holiday celebrations, and meaningful connection, they said.

Details of a Capital Campaign will be announced in the coming weeks, offering community members the opportunity to take part in what the Uminers described as “a once-in-a-generation effort to shape the future of Jewish life in Chestnut Hill and beyond.”

“Let’s build strong. Let’s build proud. Let’s build together,” the couple concluded.