Bais Rivkah Seminary Announces Groundbreaking Initiative

“Which seminary are you going to?”

It’s a question every Lubavitch girl is either asked, will be asked, or has asked. And for so many, the options are limited, and to make matters more complicated, the race to get into the “best” seminary creates much undue pressure on students and parents alike.

Well, there’s good news on the way: Bais Rivkah Seminary of Crown Heights is working on a groundbreaking initiative to change all of that, kicking off a remarkable project that will position Bais Rivkah Seminary as the preeminent institution of higher learning to which the entire world will clamor to be included.

It’s a major, exciting improvement over the current situation.

“At the moment, due to the extremely limited capacity in our current premises, we are operating from many different locations scattered around the neighborhood,” explained Rabbi Moshe Pinson, Director of Development. “This situation of being all over the place is very undesirable, and it puts a strain on the entire institution.”

Positioned in a community such as Crown Heights, the international epicenter in whose streets so many talented and learned people live and to which yet so many more regularly visit, the resources are unlimited. Unfortunately, the limited capacity and budgetary constraints make capitalizing on the potential near impossible.

“A community such as ours, the Rebbe’s neighborhood, should really be the host of a seminary for girls that is Lubavitch’s crown jewel of higher learning,” said the Board of Bais Rivkah. “Bais Rivkah Seminary is a stellar institution already, but it could be so much more.”

So much potential, yet the hands are tied.

A groundbreaking initiative, indeed, is what’s needed.

“After so many years of running around and being forced to operate at an ad hoc level, we’re extremely excited to announce that very soon, that will all change,” the Board of Directors explained. “Bais Rivkah as a whole is ready to grow, to expand to its true potential, and after the expansive projects undertaken in the past throughout the younger divisions, it’s time to finally grant the seminary its own dedicated home. Very soon, with the Rebbe’s brachos, we hope to see Bais Rivkah seminary double and even triple in capacity. To absolutely become the icon it was always intended to be.

“From there, the ball will just keep on rolling, upgrading the entire institution through all grades. This is just the beginning.”

Of course, bringing everything together under one roof is a financial boon for the organization as well. “This really makes sense on so many levels, and it’s been a long time coming. Baruch Hashem, the campaign is finally kicking off.”

There’s something in it for everyone. “Too many parents are faced with the frightening prospect of sending their daughters off to seminary in remote locations with exorbitant price tags,” Pinson explained. “With the enhancement of Bais Rivkah Seminary as the pride and joy of Lubavitch right here in the Rebbe’s neighborhood, we see that turning around. Girls will want to come here, and parents will happily send their children, knowing that they are receiving the best in higher education, akin to, and even better than anything they would have experienced in other more ‘shiny’ locations.”

It’s an exciting prospect, and with a large capital campaign already fully underway, it’s no longer a dream. More funds are needed and there’s still much more to do in the weeks and months ahead, but very soon, Bais Rivkah will be breaking ground, and very soon, our community will host a shining institution for which we will all be proud.