Some 450 supporters celebrated the inauguration of the Chabad Center in New Albany, Ohio last Thursday.

The $5 million, 11 acre complex enhances this Jewish community with a new hub for communal, social and religious activities. The new center includes a synagogue, classrooms for Chabad Hebrew School, and Life Town, an indoor city where special needs children practice basic life skills through role play. Fifty children visit Life Town every day, thirty-six children attend Hebrew School and more than 80 participate weekly in Jewish classes and services.

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“In a society where much emphasis is placed on the physical, the Chabad house teaches us to concentrate on soul,” said Rabbi Kaltmann, director of Chabad in Columbus. “For us, the greatest victory for the Jewish people is when we see a child craft a shofar in Hebrew school. That's how we reclaim our heritage.”

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky of Lubavitch Headquarters inspired the dinner guests with his remarks about the contribution the new center will make to Jewish life in the area.   

Lori Schottenstein describes her gift in humble terms: she's just sharing her blessings with the Jewish community, she says.

“Legacy isn’t about what I want,” Schottenstein said. “Legacy is about what the community needs and how we use what’s inherent and unique within each of us to help strengthen our community.”

Green building consultant Danny Rosen assisted Rabbi Kaltmann in the 14-year building project by helping him obtain permits for the building. Rosen emceed Thursday’s event, where he spoke about the “incredible journey, from concept, to approval of the building, the construction and the final, awe inspiring project.”

“The Kaltmanns had total faith from the very beginning, throughout all the hurdles and obstacles,” Rosen said at the dinner. “They never doubted that they would get it done. This is a celebration of the accomplishments of Chabad in Columbus.”