Jewish life will expand at Rowan University in south Jersey as plans move forward for the construction of a Chabad Jewish student center providing a kosher dining hall, student lounge and housing, among other amenities.
The Glassboro university, part of the New Jersey state college system, has had a Chabad for 11 years since Rabbi Hersh Loschak and his wife, Fraidy, came to campus.
“We’ve been doing programming and have definitely seen steady growth in our programming and engagement as well as in the number of Jewish students overall in the school,” said Rabbi Loschak in a phone interview. “The numbers have steadily risen.”
Plans were unanimously approved by the Glassboro Planning Board in May for the three-story, 21,000-square-foot building to be located near the edge of the campus on Mick Drive, replacing the Hamilton Road home that now serves as Chabad headquarters.
The Stanley C. Middleman Chabad Jewish Center at Rowan is named after the founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, who has contributed a pacesetting $1 million toward the $6.5 million structure. Rabbi Loschak said approximately $3 million has so far been raised, and groundbreaking is expected by the end of the year, depending on fundraising efforts. It will then take about 12 to 14 months to complete. Chabad also will have to secure other building permits.
In addition to the 125-seat dining hall, lounge and eight student housing units, the structure will serve as living quarters for the rabbi, rebbetzin and their six children, and house a fully kosher commercial kitchen, offices, sanctuary, social hall for Shabbat dinners, library and kosher eatery.
“The center will be fully Shabbos-observant,” said Rabbi Loschak. “They [students] can live in the space and come downstairs for meals and davening. They have not had a full kosher option before.”
Rabbi Loschak believes there are at least 1,000 Jewish students at the university—although there are no exact figures available and there may be more. However, he does know that interest in Jewish life has been steadily increasing. The university has a Hillel affiliated with Hillel International, with two advisers employed by the university in other capacities, and a student executive board.
The rabbi said student engagement in Jewish life has been growing since Chabad’s arrival, reflected in increased programming and many Jewish students who had turned to it since the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.
“It was time to grow,” he said, adding that since the Israeli-Hamas war the center has “a whole new purpose.”
“Students are looking for a place to be safe and not feel ostracized or lonely,” explained Rabbi Loschak, who also praised the university administration for its handling of the war’s aftermath, which has triggered a wave of encampments and antisemitism at campuses across the country.
“We didn’t have any encampments,” said Rabbi Loschak. “There were a few protests but the university did a great job to make sure they handled it and any agitators before anything got out of control.”
Likewise, he called the administration and university “incredibly supportive” of the center and its goals.
“The current Chabad House, just a block from campus, provides our students a vibrant and welcoming home away from home,” Rowan University President Dr. 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.”
Chabad currently offers holiday meals, classes in Judaism and Yiddishkeit, a weekly Shabbat dinner, will assist those who want to put on tefillin or put up a mezuzah, and last semester by student request, held a Thursday morning minyan to read Torah. It also offers comfort to those who are sick or feeling stressed, being there with a bowl of chicken soup and support.
It just launched a private Facebook group for Jewish Rowan parents, where they can connect and support each other, share concerns and receive updates on campus life.
“Students come to our center to wind down and be with their Jewish peers,” said Rabbi Loschak. “We are all about catering to the needs of students.”
Those interested in tracking the building campaign’s progress can go to buildrowanchabad.com. Donations can be made at rujewish.org.
Debra Rubin has had a long career in journalism, writing for secular weekly and daily newspapers and Jewish publications. She most recently served as Middlesex/Monmouth bureau chief for the New Jersey Jewish News. She also worked with the media at several nonprofits, including serving as assistant public relations director of HIAS and assistant director of media relations at Yeshiva University.
