For 10 years, Rabbi Hersh Loschak and Rebbetzin Fraidy Loschak have made their Chabad home in their actual home on Hamilton Road just off Rowan University’s campus.
But for the next 10 years and beyond, they will move from their three-story home to the first-ever Jewish student center at Rowan.
The 20,000-square foot, $6-million facility was approved by the town of Glassboro for 69 Mick Drive, according to Loschak. The couple hopes to complete construction by fall 2025 or spring 2026. Upon completion, Rowan’s Jewish student center will include a kosher eatery, eight student housing units, a social hall for Shabbat dinners and community events, a student lounge, a library and administrative offices.
Chabad at Rowan has long played the role of a safe space on campus for Jewish students. That role is more important post-Oct. 7, according to Loschak. Overall participation has increased since the Hamas attack on Israel.
“This huge milestone comes at a critical time, amidst a concerning rise in antisemitism on college campuses across the country. At a time where Jewish students are feeling less and less safe on their college journey, we plan to create an epic and grand space, where all students can feel welcomed, safe, and at home,” read a May 17 Facebook post from Chabad at Rowan.
Chabad at Rowan is both an official student organization and an incorporated company, according to Loschak. Chabad at Rowan Inc. is raising money for the project from private donors.
Rowan University is not a financial backer of the center. But it does support the project.
“The current Chabad House, just a block from campus, provides our students a vibrant and welcoming home away from home,” Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand said in a news release. “We are excited by Rabbi Loschak’s vision for this Jewish student center and the impact it will have on our broader University community.”
Loschak can explain the vision. It has two parts.
“No. 1 is location,” he said. “This is right there, steps away from freshmen dormitories. For a new kid that’s starting, he knows where the dining hall is; he knows where one or two restaurants are. But he’s not going to venture beyond one or two blocks.”
“They’ll be able to see it. Every freshman, every sophomore. They’ll be able to walk right over,” he added.
The second part is that the project will be “a full-blown center,” the rabbi said.
“Our house is wonderful. It served as a great step for the first decade. But moving into this second decade, we wanted to have a full-fledged center. There’s not just one room that has the classes and the davening and the meals,” he explained. “This will have a space for prayer, another space for meals, another space for students to come and hang out and do their homework. And just be in an environment where they’ll feel comfortable.”
Chabad Inc. can also make money and support itself with eight student dormitories, the kosher eatery and perhaps other endeavors. But before the center starts earning, Loschak must raise more money.
He’s focusing on large gifts, and he has landed a couple in the range of $250,000-$300,000. But he has only raised about a quarter of the $6 million that will likely be required to build the place. At the end of the process, he will probably shift his focus to crowdfunding campaigns and smaller gifts.
To follow the progress and perhaps contribute, visit rujewish.org/newcenter.
Once the center is built, the Loschaks may have to hire people to work on upkeep, student rentals and in the kitchen. They also might have to consider bringing on a second rabbi or program director.
But that’s a decision for the future. Right now, Loschak is just excited about this big step.
“The way I like to see it is we’re taking it to the next level. The next stage in our organization or Chabad house. We were a house a little bit off campus and now we’re going to be a center on campus,” he said.