35 Years to the Day, New Expansion Beis Medrash Completed

In a dramatic development, the new expansion of the Beis Medrash behind 770 has been fully completed, with the floor tiled and the space ready for use before this Shabbos. The completion comes several days ahead of the original Kinus Hashluchim deadline, which was already considered overly ambitious.

The timing is especially notable. This Shabbos marks exactly 35 years since the Rebbe published the kuntres Beis Rabeinu Sheb’Bavel, which describes at length the significance of 770 and the importance of creating additional space for the many people who come to learn, daven, and visit 770.

“In just several days, a completely new beis medrash has been built, something no one thought possible,” one source involved in the project told Anash.org. “The Rebbe’s vision of expanding 770 has taken a major step forward, 35 years to the day after the sicha.”

On Thursday night, workers were seen removing part of the back wall of 770 to create an opening and doorway that will allow the two spaces to be connected.

New benches and tables have reportedly already been purchased and are expected to be brought in shortly. They will be secured to the floor to prevent them from being moved around. Crews were also seen today completing the installation of the air conditioning and heating units, ensuring that the space will be comfortable and ready for use.

The original plan was to have the expansion ready for the Kinus Hashluchim, giving shluchim a dedicated place to learn during their stay. The pace of construction has now brought the project to completion several days ahead of even that ambitious timeline.

“This is a project that would ordinarily take months, or even years,” the source told Anash.org. “The speed we’re seeing is nothing short of extraordinary and shows what can get done when everyone is on the same page.”

Crews have been working around the clock, with work continuing until the final minutes before Shabbos and resuming immediately afterward, continuing through the night.

Last Thursday night, intensive work began in the middle of the night to lower the ground level and bring it into alignment with the floor of the main zal, marking a major milestone in the effort. Within just a few hours, the work was complete.

Since then, the pace has only accelerated. Over the past several days, flooring has been completed, walls and windows installed, and lighting, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, roofing, and ceiling work finished.

“This is a major step toward the Rebbe’s vision of expanding 770,” the source said. “Today, we are working toward that vision together with all the relevant mosdos, which have been intimately involved in every step of the process.”

The structure is being built on the site of the historic Kollel building, near the corner of Union Street and Kingston Avenue. The Kollel was established by the Rebbe in 5722 (1962) under the aegis of Machne Israel and the Rebbe’s Mazkirus. It operated from 1451 and 1453 Union Street until 5760 (2000), when it moved to its present location on Kingston Avenue, with the intention that the Union Street building would be renovated.

The climate-controlled beis medrash will remain open year-round, with seating for more than 300 bochurim and yungeleit.

The project has been made possible through the tireless efforts and generous support of a group of dedicated individuals, working together with Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, Machne Israel, and Agudas Chassidei Chabad. Their joint efforts have helped bring this long-awaited development to completion.