Chabad House Demolished

On Tuesday, June 26,  Chabad at La Costa, CA took the next major step towards dedicating its new complex as the old Chabad Center was demolished. Many of the community participants turned out to witness this event, which they almost uniformly described as ‘bittersweet.’ Bitter in the sense that there have been so many events in the old building over the past twenty years, yet sweet in that it marks a new beginning in the Chabad House’s growth and development.

The old building was a mere 1600 square feet and was built in the early ‘60’s as a ‘temporary’ outbuilding for the neighboring La Costa Resort and Spa. Since that time it has served as church offices, landscaping offices, a preschool, and was vacant for a few years until Chabad moved in, in ’92. Since that time the community invested in the building trying to make it as welcoming as possible. A new roof, new kitchen, new floors, new paneling, new paint, new air conditioning, and many other items were added over the years. Nonetheless, the building was inadequate for the community and its growing needs.

Finally, approximately three and a half years ago the landlord finally agreed to sell the building to the community. Shortly thereafter a building campaign began in earnest. After two years of planning the building project is ready to get rolling with construction beginning immediately. The new complex will have over 9000 square feet of usable space on two floors, with a full, commercial-grade kitchen, social hall able to accommodate 300, a pre school for up to 50 children, a senior center, a library with a media center, an outdoor patio overlooking the nearby lagoon, offices, and classrooms.

The project’s architect, Robert Richardson, exclaimed to Rabbi Eilfort, Director of Chabad at La Costa, “Rabbi, you have put 20 pounds of groceries into a 5 pound bag.” At the beginning of the project before the initial meetings with the City of Carlsbad, the architect and the civil engineer expressed grave doubts as to being able to accommodate the Rabbi’s ambitious plans. Rabbi Eilfort told his professionals that he wanted them to approach the City with confidence telling them that this is not just another building, but instead is the Rebbe’s institution. The Rabbi assured them if they were confident in the righteousness of the endeavor they would certainly feel the blessings of the Almighty and the City would respond in a positive fashion. Sure enough, after emerging from their first meetings with the City they told the Rabbi that they had never received such a positive welcome and encouragement despite having worked in the City 50 years between the two of them.

Although the project began with modest goals and a modest budget it has grown exponentially in size, scope, and budget, which has now reached nearly $2.5 million. Rabbi Eilfort proudly reported that the entire amount has been raised or pledged so now no loans will be necessary to complete this building, which should be done within the next six months. The fundraising has not stopped, however, as an additional $250,000 is being sought so that a Mikvah can be built, as the next closest Mikvah is 30 miles away.