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Primary components of the new center include a large multipurpose room for dining, social events, and performances; a lounge that transitions into a sanctuary; study rooms; and outdoor activity terraces, which provide more space for socializing and connecting.<\/p>\n
Interactive highlights include the wisdom wall, an art display featuring student faces and stories; a kosher kitchen where students participate in hands-on programs; and an expansive space housing the headquarters for over a dozen campus Jewish student organizations as well as staff offices.<\/p>\n
Karen Parry, executive director of Hillel of San Diego, said the Glickman Hillel Center will also supply basic resources, including food access and showers for students in need as well as provide an important gathering place for the entire community, with other organizations utilizing the space for Jewish cultural programming.<\/p>\n
Parry said the new Hillel Center will be a community crossroads having bike and walking paths, a bench, a trash can, and bike storage in a publicly accessible area.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really beautiful with Torrey pines and other landscaping,\u201d Parry said adding, \u201cIt is a special place for young people to come in and feel special, It will help build coalitions among diverse communities on-campus, and within the larger San Diego community as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
PROJECT DONORS<\/p>\n
In addition to Beverly and Joseph Glickman, major donors to the facility include Joan and Irwin Jacobs, The Melvin Garb Foundation, Jerri-Ann and Gary Jacobs and family, Sandy and Arthur Levinson, Julie and Lowell Potiker, Elaine Galinson and Herb Solomon, Karen and Jeff Silberman, Andrew Viterbi, Phyllis and Dan Epstein, Lee and Frank Goldberg, Wayne and Naomi Harris, the Shekhter family, Carole and Jerry Turk, the Wax family, the Chortek Weisman family, Hanna and Mark Gleiberman, Amy and Adam Jacobs, David and Rashel Michan, Carlos and Esther Michan, Ernest and Evelyn Rady and many others. The building team included M.W. Steele Group, Pacific Building Group, Hughes Marino, and Helix Electric.<\/p>\n
PROJECT HISTORY<\/p>\n
The facility\u2019s genesis dates back to 2000 when Hillel of San Diego was awarded exclusive rights to purchase the property from the City of San Diego. Since 2001, Hillel of San Diego has been working with the city and the community to develop the project, which gained unanimous approval from the San Diego City Council in 2017. The project\u2019s groundbreaking was held in September 2021, with construction completed on time and within the budget.<\/p>\n
Originally funded by a $5 million pledge from the late philanthropist Joseph \u201cChickie\u201d Glickman and his wife Beverly, Hillel of San Diego has since raised significant contributions and pledges to further fund the project. Currently, Hillel is within $300,000 of closing its $18.7 million capital campaign. An additional $500,000 challenge match has been made by Joan and Irwin Jacobs who will match all incoming donations to help close the campaign.<\/p>\n
ABOUT HILLEL<\/p>\n