Chabad at USF in Tampa, FL has recently acquired grounds which will be home to a new expanded Chabad House near USF. The new property 9/10 of a acre is situated south of Fletcher ave. on 52nd St. within walking distance of USF Campus, zoned for a Synagogue/Student Center there wont be anymore worries of neighbors complaining, or city violations. 

The new facility already has over 2000.00 SQ with plans to add at least a additional 1000.00 SQ Feet to house a social hall/Synagogue, student lounge/library, kitchen & classrooms’ enabling the Chabad House to meet all of the student and north Tampa community needs, also planned is a cafeteria aimed at providing Jewish students with a Kosher meal plan option throughout the year.

Until now, Chabad at USF has been instrumental in providing regular Friday Night Services & Meals as well as many important educational programs and social services. As it expands, however, they recognize that their programming requires a larger home of its own.

“Campus life can often represent a serious challenge to a student's Jewish identity,” said Rabbi Uriel Rivkin, Director “Our goal  is to help students successfully navigate this critical period in their lives as independent Jewish adults and to emerge as committed, active and dedicated Jews.” With the help of Hashem the new facility will make Chabad on Campus even more accessible to the students at University of South Florida and will result in a more engaged and involved Jewish student population.

The first Chabad House in the Central Florida area was originally started at USF in 1976, when the Rebbe sent his parents Rabbi & Mrs. Lazer Rivkin to Tampa, They started with the students at USF, Uriel was but a young child, today he is married with four children Boruch Hashem and together with his wife Dvora have seen great success in the last few years in their efforts to spread Yidishkeit on Campus and in the community. 

Currently Chabad is forced to rent a hotel when it comes to big holiday programs.

For the High Holidays they have been renting the ballroom at the Clarion hotel on Fowler Ave. this year as well Chabad at USF will be holding Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur services at the same hotel to meet the student and community High Holiday crowds.

With the help of our generous friends and supporters, we will soon move from vision to reality. Please join us on this important endeavor.