With the opening of the new Chabad House, Jewish life at KU has a warm, welcoming home designed for hanging out, studying, sharing meals and building friendships that stretch far beyond campus. 

 

The KU community has a new place to gather — and students are already filling it with conversation, celebration and connection. What started as a vision is now a bright, lively space at the heart of student life. 

Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who co-directs the Chabad Center at KU along with his wife Nechama, says the goal was always simple.

“The new Chabad Center is a true home away from home for Jewish students at KU, a place where they can connect to their heritage, find community, and feel supported throughout their college journey.”

Everyone is welcome at Chabad, regardless of background or prior affiliation. Tiechtel says the doors are open to all, whether students are deeply involved in Jewish life or simply curious.

KU’s New Chabad Student Center

Students are already experiencing that feeling firsthand. Mason Goldberg, a KU senior who began visiting Chabad while the building was still under construction, remembers the moment he saw the finished space for the first time.

“The first thing I noticed was just how incredible the transformation was,” Goldberg said. “I started coming to Chabad during the construction period when everything was happening out of a temporary space, so walking into the finished building for the first time was honestly shocking in the best way. It immediately felt like a real home for Jewish students at KU.”

Shayna Weinstein, another KU senior who has been active in Jewish community life on campus, noted the sense of excitement surrounding the new building.

“This space will not only be a landmark destination for Jews at KU, but in Kansas as a whole. There is nothing quite to this extent that brings so much light and love to the Jewish community.”

—    Shayna Weinstein, Class of 2026 University of Kansas Computer Engineering major

A Space designed for belonging

The Chabad House’s exterior reflects the community inside: a colorful mural blending Jewish and Kansas imagery with the words “Be the Light.”

Walk through the front doors and you feel it right away — a comforting feeling that Tiechtel said was was central to the project. “Our vision was to create a warm, welcoming hub where every Jewish student feels they belong and where Jewish life can thrive openly and proudly on campus.”

The new Chabad House isn’t just a building; it’s a home for many KU students. Filled with natural light, inviting seating and open rooms that encourage connection, the space was designed with students in mind.

Here, you’ll find people studying at the kitchen table, lounging on couches between classes, grabbing a snack, or stopping by to say hello. It’s the kind of place that invites you to stay awhile.

Weinstein shared some of her first impressions of the new space. “The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous student lounge where there are couches and chairs to not only get homework done, but spend time with my amazing Jewish community,” she said. 

The design itself reflects the community it serves — open, supportive, and rooted in values of hospitality. For many students, it’s already become the place they turn to when they need a quiet moment, a familiar face, or a reminder that they’re part of something bigger.

More room for connection

One of the biggest transformations the new Chabad House brings is space — space to gather, to celebrate, to study, to cook, and to build meaningful relationships.

Tiechtel said the new space allows the center to expand the programs and traditions that students already love. It’s also creating new opportunities to introduce the community of Lawrence to Jewish traditions.

“The new center allows us to offer more learning opportunities, social programs, Shabbat meals, and quiet spaces for reflection and connection — making Jewish life part of students’ everyday experience on campus,” he said.

“This space is decked out with the most intricate Jewish symbols such as the giant Mezuzah on the outer pillars, the ginormous Menorah that you can see on the building from across campus, and even a synagogue for prayer whenever is convenient for me,” said Weinstein. “Food is a huge part of Jewish culture, so having an amazing kosher kitchen allows us to produce delicious food for the community which warms our bodies and souls.”

Strong student support

Beyond gatherings and celebrations, the new Chabad House continues to be a steady source of support for students navigating college life. Many say the casual, everyday moments matter just as much as the big events.

“Since moving into the new building, I’ve noticed more people at Shabbat dinners and events each week; but what makes it special is that students stick around,” said Goldberg. “We hang out, do homework, and spend time there on our own terms.”

Tiechtel said that sense of belonging is built through simple, everyday acts of care. “Often it’s the small things that mean the most — a homemade Shabbat meal, a visit when a student is having a tough week, or simply knowing someone is looking out for them. Those moments create the sense of family that Chabad strives to provide.” 

For many students, the building itself helps create that feeling of belonging. Indoors, the space features a swing set hanging from the ceiling and a cozy fireplace, while an outdoor firepit gives students another reason to linger. 

Weinstein shared one of her favorite places in the building: “My favorite spot is the library. There are so many books full of Jewish knowledge, it's a quiet place to get work done, and Chabad holds amazing classes like JewishU and Sinai Scholars where you get paid to dive deeper into Judaism.”

In a campus as vibrant and bustling as KU, the Chabad House provides something invaluable — a familiar, welcoming place where students can recharge, connect and simply be themselves.

Looking ahead

The opening of the new Chabad House marks an exciting chapter for KU’s Jewish community, and it’s only the beginning. With more space and more opportunities, students are already brainstorming new programs, volunteer projects, study groups and holiday traditions to bring to life in the months ahead.

Tiechtel hopes the building will continue to shape students’ experiences for years to come. “I hope they’ll say that the Chabad Center shaped some of their most meaningful college memories and helped them strengthen their Jewish identity and lifelong friendships,” he said.

Prospective students visiting campus will now see a thriving, active community with a beautiful new home. Current students will continue to shape the energy and culture of the space, and future Jayhawks will inherit a place already rich with memories, laughter and growth.

As Weinstein noted, it’s a place where students can feel at home from day one: “This community is the most inviting group of people I've ever met. You can walk in for your first time and feel like you're leaving for the 100th time.”