Cornelll University has broken ground on Harkavy Hall, a new building on the Ithaca, New York, campus that will house the Steven K. and Winifred A. Grinspoon Hillel Center for Jewish Community.
Grinspoon Hillel, now housed at Anabel Taylor Hall on campus, is a student organization that helps students connect with and develop their Jewish and religious identities.
The name of new building honors the Harkavy family, a lead donor to the facility. Harkavy Hall is expected to open in fall 2027.
Grinspoon Hillel will own the building and lease the land from the university. The 23,000-square-foot building’s four levels will include a kosher café, event space, a communal kitchen and lounge, study rooms, classrooms, administrative offices and a rooftop deck and sukkah.
The “Hillel is Home” campaign has raised $37.2 million from 1,286 donors for the new facility and related programming. Its campaign goal is to raise $54 million.
Harkavy Hall will give students a place where students can come together for Shabbat dinner on Friday night, study and wrestle with ideas, celebrate Jewish holidays together and more, said Rabbi Ari Weiss, CEO of Grinspoon Hillel.
