Construction Advances on New Learning Space Behind 770

Construction is moving ahead on a new temporary learning space on Union Street near Kingston Avenue, at the site of the historic Kollel building behind 770.

Beams went up on Thursday, marking a major step forward and giving a clearer picture of the large structure that is taking shape. When completed, the climate-controlled beis medrash will provide seating for more than 300 bochurim and yungeleit, adding much-needed learning space just steps from 770.

The project has been several years in the making, with Kollel Menachem working with Machne Israel, the organizations responsible for the surrounding properties, and neighboring property owners to develop a solution that could serve the immediate need while allowing for future plans for the site.

The structure is being built in place of the old Kollel building, which had stood largely unused for more than two decades and had fallen into disrepair.

Kollel Menachem was established by the Rebbe in 5722 under the aegis of Machne Israel and the Rebbe’s Mazkirus. Under the leadership of Harav Yosef Heller, it became a renowned center of Torah study for yungeleit from around the world.

The Kollel originally operated from 1451 and 1453 Union Street, in a building that had been converted into a beis medrash. The Rebbe visited the building several times and took an interest in various aspects of the study hall.

In 5760, the Kollel moved to its present location on Kingston Avenue between Union Street and Eastern Parkway, with the intention that the Union Street building would be renovated. Those plans did not come to fruition, and the building remained an empty shell for more than two decades.

As the need for additional learning space around 770 continued to grow, the possibility of making use of the Union Street property was revisited. Discussions began in the summer of 5781 between Kollel management and the board of Machne Israel, directed by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky.

Since long-term plans for the property called for future development, a temporary structure was proposed. The new building would provide an immediate solution to the shortage of learning space while allowing the site to be cleared when the larger plans move forward.

After years of planning and coordination, construction is now well underway. With the beams now in place, the project is beginning to take its final shape and is expected to provide a significant new learning space for the growing number of bochurim and yungeleit in the 770 area.

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