Jewish students at the University of Texas celebrated the expansion of a Chabad-Lubavitch center that since its establishment in 1971 just off campus, has served undergraduates, graduate students, parents and faculty alike.
Directed by Rabbi Zev and Ariela Johnson since 2007, the Chabad Jewish Student Center in Austin unveiled a slew of renovations last month, including an expanded student lounge and porch areas, as well as an enlarged Judaica library. A reworked multipurpose room that serves as a synagogue and dining room can now seat more than 150 people.
“It is incredible to see how on day one, the building has already filled with students, supporters, and families seeking inspiration,” Zev Johnson, an alum of the university, said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Grants from the Rohr Family Foundation, BECO Management Properties and several other donors helped make the project possible.
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| Moments before the official opening of the center, a new mezuzah was affixed to the frame of the front door. |
Close to 200 people gathered outside the expanded Rohr Chabad Jewish Center serving the University of Texas to celebrate its official grand opening.
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| Rabbi Zev Johnson, the center’s co-director, welcomes people to the new Chabad House. |
Moments before the official opening of the center, a new mezuzah was affixed to the frame of the front door.
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| Co-director Ariela Johnson led women on a tour of the new facilities, which include large guest suites on the upper floors. |
Rabbi Zev Johnson, the center’s co-director, welcomes people to the new Chabad House.
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| Rabbis Zev Johnson and Yosef Levertov, who directs Chabad-Lubavitch activities in the Texas capital, join hundreds of others in applauding the new Chabad House. |
Co-director Ariela Johnson led women on a tour of the new facilities, which include large guest suites on the upper floors.
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| A student at University of Texas speaks to Johnson inside the library. |
Rabbis Zev Johnson and Yosef Levertov, who directs Chabad-Lubavitch activities in the Texas capital, join hundreds of others in applauding the new Chabad House.
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| The Johnsons join Yaakov Cohen, one of the principal donors of the expansion, in cutting the ribbon to the new center. |
A student at University of Texas speaks to Johnson inside the library.
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| Students enter the library as Johnson points out a growing selection of books in the lounge area. |
The Johnsons join Yaakov Cohen, one of the principal donors of the expansion, in cutting the ribbon to the new center.
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| Following the inauguration, guests packed the new dining room for a buffet-style meal. |
Students enter the library as Johnson points out a growing selection of books in the lounge area.
Following the inauguration, guests packed the new dining room for a buffet-style meal.
