The new Center offers Chabad of Greater St. Pete a long-awaited permanent home.
-- More than 400 community members joined to mark the grand opening of St. Petersburg’s new Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning. While the day took time to look back and celebrate the completion of this 18,000-square-foot gathering space, the focus was primarily on the community’s exciting future ahead.
“If anyone ever tells you they don’t believe in miracles, just bring them here. Today, we don’t just mark the completion of a building; we celebrate the beginning of a new era,” Rabbi Alter Korf said during the ceremony.
The celebration began with the main program outdoors, as the story of Chabad of St. Pete was told through the lens of different members of the community, followed by a buffet in the center’s ballroom and dessert at the building’s rooftop lounge. Throughout the event, the atmosphere was one of pride, gratitude and unmistakable community spirit as generations came together under one roof.
For more than two decades, Chabad of St. Petersburg served the community from a series of temporary spaces. The community first met in a stilt house along the bay, then moved to a small storefront. In time, trailers hosted weekly services and Hebrew school. As the community grew, major gatherings like High Holiday services often required renting hotels and venues across the city.
Chabad purchased the property in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg at 533 4th Street North in 2019 and broke ground in April 2023. Programming began in the building earlier this year.
“This ribbon we’re about to cut is not the finish line,” Rabbi Mendel Lebovics said moments before the ribbon was cut. “The next chapter starts right now.”
The new center brings joy, learning, community meals and celebrations into one dynamic space. It provides a sanctuary, social hall, classrooms, library, conference room, youth education wing, commercial kosher kitchen and rooftop deck for outdoor gatherings.
Chabad’s programming includes Hebrew School, Bar and Bat Mitzvah training, teen activities, young adult programming, adult education, women’s events, Mommy & Me and Camp Gan Israel, along with Shabbat meals, holiday programming and community-wide events. The center also supports the broader community through programs such as hospital visitation, Kitchen of Kindness, senior support and disaster response.
Chabad of Greater St. Pete operates without paid membership. It welcomes Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance.
“We have no family here, and Chabad became our family,” recalls Alice Ettinger, a longtime member of Chabad of Greater St. Pete. “Chabad is more than a building. It's a place where people find friendship, connection and a Jewish home.”
Avi Kohan, another longtime member of Chabad of Greater St. Pete, remembers how people were always welcome exactly as they were. “Wherever Chabad was, we felt at home. For so many years, Rabbi and Chaya Korf created a home for Jewish life in St. Petersburg. And now, that vision has a beautiful, permanent home of its own. We grew up with Chabad of St. Petersburg. Today, we’re proud to celebrate the home where future generations will get to do the same.”
The consistent refrain from the stage and from the crowd was that the most important work starts now. That work involves expanding learning, deepening connection and building a Jewish future filled with pride, joy, celebration and belonging.
For more information about Chabad of Greater St. Petersburg, please visit https://www.chabadsp.com/. For media inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact Reagan Cooney, publicist at Otter PR, via email at reagan.cooney@otterpr.com.
About Chabad of Greater St. Petersburg
Chabad of Greater St. Petersburg is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity and fostering a vibrant, connected community through inclusive educational programs, classes, services, and outreach. Its initiatives span children’s programs, Hebrew School, CTeen, Camp Gan Israel, adult education, women’s programming, holiday events, hospital visitation, senior support, disaster response, and more, offering Judaism and joy, friendship and support, and spirituality and meaning for every Jew, regardless of background or level of observance.
Contact Info:
Name: Reagan Cooney
Email: Send Email
Organization: Chabad of Greater St. Petersburg
Website: https://www.chabadsp.com/
Release ID: 89209136
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