It was a beautiful day this past Sunday as the Chabad Jewish Center gathered with friends and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a hub for Jewish culture and education in downtown St. Pete. To the accompaniment of the traditional “Siman Tov” tune, shovels were turned to commemorate the momentous occasion.

The new two-story, 13,000-square-foot Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning, which is being constructed at 533 4th Street North, will include a sanctuary, social hall, classrooms, kosher kitchen, library, and rooftop deck. The building was designed by Mike Muroff of Purdy + Muroff Architecture and Heshy Hecht of HH Designers. Bandes Construction is serving as the general contractor for the project.

Celebrating the groundbreaking was a crowd of 300, including St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, City Council members Gina Driscoll and Ed Montanari, and other dignitaries.

“The Center will be dedicated to providing education, outreach, and social programming, and it will serve as a nurturing and welcoming place where history is shared, traditions are passed down, and community conversations are held,” shared the Mayor in his address, and then proceeded to issue a proclamation in honor of May being Jewish American Heritage Month.

Rabbi Alter and Chaya Korf, who direct and lead the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Petersburg are excited about this milestone, recognizing the tremendous growth that will ensue.

“Today we begin to build a place of possibility and growth for the entire Jewish community. For our future. For our children’s future. For our community’s future,” shared Rabbi Korf.

When the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning is complete, it will add to St. Pete a much-needed gathering place for the Jewish community.

The facility will offer events and programs for every age group, including Hebrew school and Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, Chabad Young Professionals, teen programming, adult education classes, women’s events, Mommy and Me programs for infants and toddlers, Smile on Seniors, and summer camp for kids.

"We are delighted to have many families in the community who have already made major gifts, and it was special to honor them at the groundbreaking," said Rabbi Korf.

There are many dedication opportunities still available.

Those wishing to find out more can reach out to Rabbi Alter Korf at Rabbi@ChabadSP.com or call 727-344-4900.