By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yakov Bankhalter, director of Chabad Loft who has been on Shlichus in Lower Manhattan for many years, has transformed the former MNDFL meditation center into a new Manhattan Chabad Center.
He, wife Avital Bankhalter and their family moved into a new loft on Eighth Street between University Place and 5th Ave in January of 2020, just before the onset of Covid.
When they moved in, little did they know that the very popular meditation center called MNDFL that was on the ground floor of the building would close down during the lockdown.
“I actually started out on shlichus right around the corner,” Rabbi Bankhalter told COLlive. “So we saw this as a great opportunity.”
The Bankhalters opened up a bustling new Chabad Center in the 2200 square foot space, ideally located in the heart of Greenwich Village.
Until then, Chabad Loft was being run out of a donated storefront during most of COVID, and constituents from that minyan helped them to acquire the new space.
The new Shul, called Kavanah Space, offers not only its regular popular Shabbat dinners, but will also be a new flagship location for JLI and adult education, a meeting place for young Jewish entrepreneurs with a community workspace, Art Gallery and Kosher Cafe.
The new center opened in time for Rosh Hashana of this year, and was full over Yom Tov and Shabbos since then.
The beautiful new space can accommodate up to 100 people, and is available to rent out for Lchaims and smaller to medium size Simchas.
For more info contact Rabbi Yakov at 917-613-1678 or [email protected]
Beat spot it’s beautiful so amazing!!
The energy and love u won’t find elsewhere….
Thank rabbi Bankhalter for all that you do for nyc!