By COLlive reporter
Parents, supporters and friends of Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street gathered on Motzei Shabbos, Chof Cheshvan, for an event celebrating the Chanukas Habayis of their new building expansion.
The warm and elegant Melava Malka event was hosted in the school’s new expansive gym, with long beautifully set tables and glowing candles as befitting a Melava Malka.
Singer Avraham Fried, who proudly noted during the evening that he has two grandchildren learning in the school, performed heartfelt niggunim.
Rabbi Yosef Simpson, the longtime dedicated principal, spoke about Chof Cheshvan, the birthday of the Rebbe Rashab, who was the founder of Tomchei Temimim, and said that his Mazel and blessings are given to all the parents and supporters of the Yeshiva.
Rabbi Simpson noted that when people talk to him about the new building, they mention, “not so much how beautiful the building looks…while it is beautiful. But everyone talks about the speed and how quickly the building was put up,” he said.
Rabbi Yossi Langsam, who spearheaded the building project, received a standing ovation for his non-stop dedication in making sure the building was completed in just one year, a monumental feat considering the original plans called for an 18-24 month schedule to completion.
Rabbi Langsam noted that the opening of the building is being held 12 months to the day of the historic groundbreaking last year on Chof Cheshvan.
“This project is nothing short of a miracle,” he said. “This is only due to the Rebbe’s brachos, because al pi teva it was impossible. The original plan for the building was 18- 24 months. But we knew that the boys needed the building for the start of the new school year,” he said.
Langsam related that the dilemma was to build the desperately needed expansion while causing the least disturbance possible to the children learning in the Yeshiva.
“In real estate, the expression is to complete the project ‘On time, and under budget.’ Our project was completed ‘Early and way over budget,'” he said. “And we are super proud about being way over budget.”
He explained that after many revisions to the planned 21,000-square-foot expansion, they began the project. “Once we were deep into the project, we realized we could squeeze out another 10,000 square feet,” he said.
“We had no idea how we were going to pay for it, but we went lechatchila ariber, and planned a 30,000 square foot expansion. The budget went from $7.5 million to over $10 million dollars.”
The building has also been a source of Achdus and pride for the entire community, Langsam related.
“100 percent of the funds raised for this project came from the Crown Heights community, and from a younger demographic,” he said. He said he witnessed how many people would stop, look, and smile as they passed the building going up on Crown Street and Albany Avenue in the heart of Crown Heights.
“You could see that residents are proud to see a beautiful Yeshiva building going up in the center of Crown Heights,” he said.
Be a part of the historic expansion! Donate now at yttlcampaign.org.
VIDEO: Full event replay
I had the privilege to learn in ULY under Rabbi Simpson, he is an exceptional person and has a special place in my heart.
Much Hatzlacha.
Not only a gorgeous building (look at class rooms and what a shul)
But just as important and maybe even more so is the Melaveh Malkah diner how Aidel and Chasidish it was.
From every point.
Shows a lot about the leadership ULY crown street has.
Keep up the great work on the way you are Mechanech our kids.