By COLlive reporter
Hundreds of community members gathered this past Sunday morning for a historic celebration as Chabad at Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts officially broke ground on its future home, the Center for Jewish Life.
The event marked a milestone more than twenty-five years in the making and was filled with joy, pride, and hope for the future of Jewish life in the area.
Rabbi Mendy Uminer shared how he and his wife Grunie arrived in Chestnut Hill a quarter century ago with a dream in their hearts and little else.
They had no building or guarantees, he said, only the Rebbe’s vision and a belief that every Jewish soul deserves a home. Speaking about the rise of antisemitism, Rabbi Uminer told the crowd that the community’s answer is to grow stronger. “We stand tall. We build. We grow. And we say with pride: Am Yisrael Chai.”
Mrs. Uminer offered a personal reflection drawn from her family’s connection to the Rebbe. When her parents were newly married, her mother asked the Rebbe for a blessing for a warm home. The Rebbe replied, “See to make it warm for others, and then it will be warm for you.” That teaching, Grunie said, shaped her childhood and the couple’s vision for Chabad at Chestnut Hill: creating warmth and belonging by opening hearts and doors to others.
David Frankel, chair of the building committee, spoke about visiting the NOVA exhibition in downtown Boston the night before and confronting the terrible evil on display there. He encouraged the community to see it and to bring friends, especially non-Jewish friends.
Frankel described the stark, almost binary contrast between the evil and darkness he saw there and standing the next morning among hundreds of Jews celebrating love, pride, and community. He reflected on the journey the community has taken and what it means to see this long-held dream begin to unfold.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, shared how meaningful the occasion was for him. He said that as an NFL owner, nothing breaks his Sunday routine except Rabbi and Mrs. Uminer and the remarkable community gathered in Chestnut Hill.
Kraft spoke about the spirit and warmth he felt, his pride in seeing Jewish life grow so close to where he grew up in Brookline, and his excitement to witness the community’s growth.
Smiling, he joked that perhaps the real reason he was invited was so the Patriots would beat the Panthers later that day, and indeed, the team went on to win 42 to 13.
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The central theme of the morning was clear: a Jewish building is not simply bricks and mortar but a home filled with spirituality, warmth, and life. It was a moment of unity, as families who helped build the early days of the community stood alongside new supporters joining the vision.
Those whose remarkable generosity brought the campaign to its halfway mark were recognized during the ceremony, along with others whose friendship and support have been essential to the project. Organizers emphasized that the building is a true community effort, made possible by the contributions and dedication of people at every level.
The new Center for Jewish Life will provide a spiritual home for generations. It will be a place where children can learn and celebrate, families can gather, and Jewish life can flourish proudly and openly. In a time when antisemitism is rising, the groundbreaking stood as a public declaration of resilience and hope: the Jewish community in Chestnut Hill is here, thriving, and building for the future.
Beautiful to see. I was with Mr Kraft in ס”ו by the Catskills, or perhaps Monroe – I forget. Beautiful neshomah. He made a great stadium in Yerushalayim too.