Why a new facility?
In 1999, the dreams of a new Hillel facility began at Temple University. As the campus prepared to expand residential life offerings and increase student life on Broad Street, Hillel prepared to grow and expand as well. Over the past 10 years, Jewish students, faculty, and staff have continued to see Temple University as an exciting place. As the growth has been steady and revolutionary, the old Hillel facility has become too small, antiquated, and no longer ideal.
No longer serving the needs of a 21st century student community, today Hillel at Temple University needs a building to can accommodate the current demands of student life. With more than 50% of the student body living on or in the surrounding areas of campus, the Edward H. Rosen Center will be a modern hub for Jewish campus life.
The goal of the Hillel at Temple University capital campaign is to raise $8.5 million. This includes $7.2 million for construction cost of the new facility and $1.3 million to endow a portion of the future operating costs. To date, a little over $5.25 million has been raised for the new facility to be named the Edward H. Rosen Center for Jewish Life.
Located at the intersection of 14th and Norris Streets, the 13,000 square foot facility will have three state of the art floors including a rooftop terrace. The Edward H. Rosen Center will include multiple spaces for students to gather in a community setting for social events, meals, lectures, and recreation. It will feature a kosher kitchen, a café, audio/visual capabilities, a large multipurpose/dining room, and a roof top terrace offering a fabulous view of Center City.
Construction began in the fall of 2008. Steel beams are in place and concrete is ready to be poured. Currently there are over 140 contributions to the capital campaign. Now the final $3.25 million need to be raised.
We hope you will consider being a part of this exciting time at Temple University. We are always appreciative of and leads, advice, and financial support as we continue into the next phase of the campaign. To those of you who have already contributed, thank you, we look forward to seeing you at the opening in the fall of 2009.
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