Chabad UT Dedicates Building

Over 150 friends, supporters and students came together to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Texas in Austin recently.

The seeds for this project were sown in early 2007 when Rabbi Zev and Ariela Johnson moved to Austin as co-directors of the Chabad House at UT.

“The Chabad Student Center has been meeting the needs of Jewish students at the University of Texas since 1971,” said Rabbi Zev, “however, by 2007 the building was desperately in need of renovation.”

Their arrival was the springboard for the building project and helped transform the Chabad Jewish Student Center at UT.

Mr. George Rohr, a major supporter of Chabad on Campus, agreed to give a larger than his usual commitment, without which this renovation would not have moved forward. This provided the impetus for Rabbi Zev to begin the capital campaign. Thanks to a number of generous donors who immediately jumped on board, the renovation was on its way.

Recognizing a need for a place where Jewish UT Students can gather for Shabbat, classes, or just to socialize, donors were eager to make it happen.

“We have a great building of which everyone can be proud,” said Jeffrey Cohen, father of Ariela Johnson, “and more importantly, of which the students of UT can feel pride.”

“The student reaction to the renovation has been phenomenal,” said Rabbi Zev. “Every week, hundreds of students come through the doors, particularly to our anchor program of Shabbat, where we host anywhere from 100-150 students on average.”

The renovation has allowed Chabad to shine even further and to reach and engage even more students than ever before.

In his speech, Rabbi Zev emphasized that the message of Lech Lecha is still relevant for us in 2009, 5770.

“G-d asks each and everyone of us to go, to go out of ourselves, to go out of not only the boundaries that life may impose upon us, but to go out as well of the boundaries that we sometimes impose upon ourselves,” said Rabbi Zev.

“He tells us that we need to move forward and accomplish. By going within yourself (lecha), tapping into your essence and revealing your true inner goodness, your true potential, your true self; this is how we go and move forward.”

Rabbi Yosef Levertov, Head Shliach of Austin Texas, then spoke about the purpose of a campus Chabad house. He was followed by Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, Head Shaliach of Maryland, who spoke on behalf of Chabad on Campus International and Mr. Rohr.

Mrs. Johnson then called on her father, Mr. Jeffrey Cohen. “Without his inspiration and help, the project would not have become a reality,” said Ariela. “He saw an opportunity to create something outstanding in Austin for Jewish Students.”

Mr. Cohen cut the ribbon to resounding cheers and applause.

The ceremony was followed by a Texas style BBQ where the students and donors became acquainted while admiring the magnificent building.