What A Historic Day For Our Community

May 20th, 2026

What a truly historic and emotional day for our Valley Chabad community.

This past Sunday, more than 400 people gathered together for the Groundbreaking & Foundation Stone Setting Ceremony of our future Valley Chabad Home. Standing together with community members, families, children, teens, supporters, and elected officials from every background and political affiliation, there was an overwhelming feeling of unity, pride, and hope.

Rabbi Dov shared that this moment felt reminiscent of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai - “one person with one heart.” As the foundational stone was placed into the ground, we also placed something deeper into our hearts: a foundation for connection, belonging, Jewish pride, and community for generations to come.

Looking out at the crowd, hearing words of support from leaders across every spectrum, and seeing our community standing together just days before Shavuot reminded us all that this building is so much more than walls and classrooms. It is a home. A place where everyone belongs.

Throughout the ceremony, members of our community shared what this future home means to them:

“A place of learning.
A place of connection.
A place for every Jew to feel welcome.”

“A place where I can learn.
A place where I can grow.
A place where I belong.”

“A place to hang out with my Jewish friends.
A place to ask questions.
A place where I can be proud to be me.”

“A place to learn deeper.
A place to connect stronger.
A place to continue growing at every stage of life.”

Again and again, the message was clear:

My new home.
Your new home.
Our new home.

Thank you for helping bring this dream into reality.

Please enjoy some of the beautiful photos from the event below. We look forward to continuing this incredible journey together.

With gratitude and excitement,

The Valley Chabad Team

 

Valley Chabad Construction Update

May 14th, 2026

Construction Groundbreaking Celebration - SUNDAY MAY 17 @ 11am
We are thrilled to enter this exciting new chapter as momentum continues to build for our future home!  The next major milestone is almost here, and we are excited to invite the community to celebrate this special moment with us.

Join us for our official groundbreaking celebration:

DATE:  Sunday, May 17th
TIME:  11:00 AM–12:00 PM
LOCATION:  530 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

REGISTER HERE: ValleyChabad.org/Groundbreaking

Join us as we bring together community members, friends, neighbors, local leadership, and honored guests including the mayor, NJ congress members, and many others as we celebrate the beginning of this incredible journey together.

FUN FOR ALL:  The morning will feature:

  • A short presentation and ceremonial groundbreaking
  • Food, concessions, and refreshments
  • Fun activities for children and families
  • Guided tours and opportunities to explore the vision firsthand

Construction & Progress Updates
Over the past several weeks, we’ve reached major milestones that continue bringing our vision closer to reality:

  • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - NorthPoint Construction has officially been selected as our contractor - this is a significant step forward as preparations begin for construction and development.
  • TOWNSHIP APPROVAL - Rabbi Dov recently appeared before the Woodcliff Lake township board regarding the variances needed for the project. We are grateful and excited to share that all requested variances received unanimous approval, an important achievement that reflects the strong support and enthusiasm surrounding this project.

We look forward to celebrating this exciting occasion with the wonderful families, friends, neighbors, and supporters who have helped make this dream possible.

Thank You,


Rabbi Dov and Hindy Drizin
ValleyChabadHome.org

Building the Future: Valley Chabad's New Home

Quarter 4, 2025 Update

As we prepare for the High Holidays, a time of reflection, renewal, and unity, I want to take a moment to share an important update with you about your new Valley Chabad home.

Since the purchase of the building at 530 Chestnut Ridge Road in August 2024, we have been working very hard with architects, engineers and various consultants to plan and design the building to accommodate our future need and growth.  I am happy to share that we have officially finalized the plans and are preparing to go out to bid with contractors.

All funds raised to date have been fully allocated for the building project.  This has allowed us to cover the planning, design, engineering, and legal work required to this point. Remaining building donations will be applied as we start the upcoming construction.

Thanks to so many of those in our community who have already made a commitment to support the Valley Chabad Building vision!

However, construction costs of the building goes beyond what has already been raised.  That is why your partnership is so vital - every new gift ensures that we can create the welcoming Valley Chabad home our community deserves.

G-d willing, construction is projected to begin by the end of this year. This initial construction will be the first visible sign of the dream we’ve been working toward together.

Your Valley Chabad home will be a place where souls are sparked, friendships are nurtured, and every person finds a home.

With gratitude and anticipation,

Rabbi Dov Drizin
ValleyChabadHome.org

 Quarter 3, 2025 Update

Construction & Progress Updates
We are happy to share that our Environmental Historic Preservation (EHP) approval has officially come through. With this important milestone behind us, we can now direct grant funding toward enhancing the building’s security infrastructure—an essential component of creating a safe and welcoming space for all.

We are also happy to share that our state-of-the-art Building Management System (BMS) is now complete! This technology will ensure our new home runs efficiently and comfortably, supporting everything from climate control to system automation.

Community Impact

We’re excited to share a meaningful milestone: Valley Chabad recently hosted its first bris in the new building. This beautiful and sacred moment marks the beginning of many life-cycle events that will take place in our new spiritual home.

Even more moving is the story behind it. Susan and Ken Markman met Rabbi Dov on a flight from LAX to JFK about 25 years ago and struck up a conversation that sparked a friendship lasting over two decades. This morning, their son Jason and his wife Lina celebrated the first bris at Valley Chabad's new location.

The Markman family’s journey with Valley Chabad has come full circle. It was Ken Markman’s check—given 25 years ago—that was the very first donation Valley Chabad received when it opened its doors. From that first gift to this first bris, the Markman family has been part of our story from the very beginning.

Funding & Support
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of generosity that continues to propel our project forward. Recent commitments include:

  • A transformative $180,000 pledge for the Holocaust Memorial 
  • A $150,000 dedication toward a future classroom (4 of 6 classrooms are reserved!) 
  • An $18,000 contribution for the Rabbi’s lectern in our main sanctuary


These thoughtful gifts are not only helping us reach our $10 million goal, but they are also shaping the very heart of the space where lives will be enriched for generations.

Special Features & Sneak Peeks
This week, we are honored to spotlight one of the most meaningful elements of our new building: the Holocaust Memorial. This powerful and reflective space will stand as a tribute to memory, resilience, and the responsibility we hold to educate future generations. It will be a place of both solemn reflection and deep inspiration.

Ways to Get Involved
Your involvement is what transforms this building from bricks and mortar into a vibrant center of Jewish life. Here's how you can make a difference today:

  • RSVP for the Gala
    Grab your tickets and your journal dedications here: ValleyChabad.org/Gala - you don't want to miss this spectacular evening!
  • Join Our Gala Dinner Committee
    Lend your name to this special event and help us spread the word. Encourage friends to attend, and if you're able, help secure an ad or two for the Gala Journal.
  • Share Connections
    Know someone who might be inspired by our mission? We’d love to be introduced!
  • Tour the Building
    Get a personal tour of our future home with Rabbi Dov. Discover what’s to come and how you can play a part in shaping it. Sign up here: valleychabad.org/tour

Every step we take is made possible by your support. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey—we can’t wait to continue building it together.

 Quarter 1, 2025 Update

Construction & Progress Updates
Exciting developments are underway! Our Building Management System (HVAC) company has been contracted to implement a state-of-the-art BMS system, ensuring optimal climate control and efficiency. While we are still awaiting necessary governmental approvals, progress continues.

Tenant movement has begun, marking an important step in transitioning into our new space. Additionally, we have hired a skilled building tech engineer to oversee the process and ensure smooth operations.

Looking ahead, our primary objective for March is to finalize and approve schematic layouts for each floor, bringing us one step closer to a fully realized vision for our new home.

Community Impact
Stay tuned for some awe inspiring thoughts and stories from your community! 

Funding & Support
A heartfelt thank you to our generous supporters! This week, we are grateful to four donors who stepped forward to help us moved closer to our $10 million goal. One individual has made a remarkable commitment of $18,000, while another has contributed $1,800. Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to making our dream a reality.

Special Features & Sneak Peeks

This week, we're highlighting our Coffee Corner – a cozy and inviting space designed for community members to gather, connect, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee. Whether you're stopping by for a quick chat or settling in for a study session, this special feature will add comfort and hospitality to our new home. Stay tuned for more exciting reveals!

Ways to Get Involved
Your support and participation are essential to making this project a success. Here’s how you can help today:

  • Join Our Gala Dinner Committee - Lend your name as part of this special event and help spread the word—encouraging friends to attend and, if possible, securing an ad or two for the Gala Journal.
  • Share Connections – Know someone who might want to support our efforts? Introduce us!
  • Tour the Building - Get a personal tour of the new space with Rabbi Dov and learn more about what is to come and how you can get involved! Sign up here: http://valleychabad.org/tour

Every action, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!