Reaching
an Agreement with Penn Hillel
The University
and Hillel of Greater Philadelphia have completed the necessary
transactions for the building of Steinhardt Hall, the new home
for Hillel at Penn. Hillel will construct its new 35,000 square
foot, state-of-the-art facility on land leased from the University
on 39th Street, between Walnut and Locust Streets. Construction
is set to begin immediately. Completion is expected in time for
the fall semester of 2003. As part of the transaction, Hillel
has sold its 36th Street building to the University.
Rabbi
Howard Alpert, executive director of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia,
expressed his pleasure with the successful conclusion of the agreement.
"This is an exciting milestone for both Penn Hillel and for
the entire University community," he said. "Our success
is a testimony to the support and vision of Dr. Judith Rodin,
and of Penn alumnus Michael Steinhardt, and to the hard work of
many others." Rabbi Alpert singled out the project's Chairperson
Edwin Berkowitz (C '49), and vice-chairs Albert Perlstein (W '57;
GCS '96), and Stuart Rudoler (EE '86) for special accolade, stating
that the project could not have reached this milestone without
their efforts. He also expressed his appreciation to the many
donors for making this vision into a reality.
The new
building was designed by Jacobs/ Wyper Architects of Philadelphia.
The construction manager is R. M. Shoemaker Co. and the project
manager is The Staubach Company. Construction financing is being
provided by Commonwealth Bank.
Penn
is recognized as hosting one of the largest and most dynamic Jewish
student communities in North America, according to Rabbi Alpert.
When completed, Steinhardt Hall will be the programmatic and administrative
hub for the 25 student organizations that operate through Penn
Hillel and will provide a central gathering space for all segments
of the Jewish and University communities at-large. The facility
will include a living room, student lounge, contemporary Judaic
library, sanctuary/auditorium with seating for 300, Beit Midrash
(classical Jewish study hall), and Student Activities Center.
Administrative offices for Penn Hillel and for Hillel of Greater
Philadelphia will also be located there. The building will also
house the Kosher Dining Commons for University Dining, with seating
of 200 for lunch and dinner during the week and upwards of 300
on the Sabbath and Holy Days.
Hillel
at Penn is a program of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, which
is a constituent agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
and an affiliate of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
Hillel: The Foundation is the largest provider of service to Jewish
University students in the world, with more than 130 affiliates
in North America, South America, Israel, the United Kingdom, and
the former Soviet Union.