Hillel at the George Washington University announced plans today to replace its current property on the Foggy Bottom Campus with a modern, four-story building that will offer expanded space for GW Hillel’s programming.
The redeveloped property will replace the existing Gewirz Center at the corner of 23rd and H streets and feature a variety of multipurpose rooms, street-level kosher food service, a roof terrace and sustainable features.
“This is an exciting new chapter for GW Hillel, one that enhances our collaboration with the university and neighborhood, and at the same time provides a modern state-of-the-art facility that will create a hub for all things Jewish on this campus and beyond,” said Executive Director Rabbi Yoni Kaiser-Blueth.
“This facility will be a magnet to students, the campus community and the local community as well,” he added.
The top two floors of the newly constructed building will be leased to the university to provide additional space for campus activities.
“George Washington University is proud to celebrate its diverse student body and is excited to provide support for a new home for GW Hillel,” said Peter Konwerski, dean of student affairs. “The collaboration will not only provide much needed improvement to Hillel’s existing programs but it will also provide space to enhance GW’s educational and co-curricular activities.”
Currently, GW Hillel is finalizing design plans for the project in anticipation of the regulatory process. Construction is provisionally slated for summer 2014.
The Gewirz Center was built in 1986 to support the growing population of Hillel members in the GW community. GW Hillel was founded in the 1930s and serves 3,000 Jewish undergraduates and 1,500 graduate students, offering opportunities for the university community to connect socially, culturally and spiritually to Judaism.