By COLlive reporter
Talk about thinking big!
Cheder Menachem in Los Angeles, California is known as one of the country’s most admired and emulated Lubavitcher elementary schools. The education pushes the upper limits of student care, and, not coincidentally, their student body stretches the limits of their classrooms, and they are bursting at the seams.
Recently, the Cheder board and administration made an astonishing announcement: they had closed escrow on a property that sits on an entire city block, with plans to build an expansive new Cheder campus. The projected price tag for the acquisition and development is between $34-$38 million, and they are determined to see it through.
The campaign has gotten off to an auspicious start with significant lead pledges, setting them on a path towards goal achievement. “The road ahead is sure to present many challenges,” said one board member. “But we are confident that aiming high is the right approach for us to take and that this is the approach the Rebbe – Cheder Menachem’s namesake and inspiration – would counsel us to take.”
Several architects have offered a number of preliminary design concepts for the construction of a bright, beautiful, spacious, state-of-the-art, 3-story, 54,000 square-foot facility on the site – complete with 27 large classrooms, specialty rooms, offices, kitchen, dining hall, Bais Medrash, library, indoor gym, as well as ample outdoor play areas, and – a Los Angeles miracle – parking!
An exciting fundraising campaign is being planned for the middle of June Bez”h which will culminate in a live concert event.
The campaign and event will also focus on support for both Cheder Menachem and Bais Chaya Mushka, with Rabbi Menachem M. Greenbaum as the Dean of both Cheder Menachem and Bais Chaya Mushka, both schools that have joined together in recent years under the same educational and financial leadership. Working together to educate the 750 boys and girls of the Los Angeles community, in a warm Chassidishe environment raising them UP to becoming Neiros Lhoir, true Bnei Ubnos Chabad.
How appropriate that this initiative is being launched and introduced ahead of the Rebbe’s 120th birthday. “What a fitting gift for our Rebbe!” one of the people involved told COLlive.com.
Mazal Tov! Mit’n Rebbin’s Kochos un Brachos! Moshiach now!
Mazel Tov!! Thank you to all the individuals working tirelessly to make this a reality.
Wow!! Thank you for all the hard work you put into educating our children!