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On March 8, 2026, we celebrated the groundbreaking of Harkavy Hall, the future home of Jewish life at Cornell. Today, we are thrilled to report that construction remains on schedule, with an anticipated opening in summer 2027, in time for the fall semester. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, we have now raised more than $37.5 million toward both the construction of the building and our endowment, a transformative investment in our Jewish future.
With the building's more than $30 million construction cost now fully funded, our focus is turning to the future: reducing the need for financing and ensuring the long-term vitality of Jewish life at Cornell by securing $18 million for Hillel’s endowments and reserves. Through this campaign and past contributions, we are over 70% of the way to reaching this critical goal! Before we open the doors of Harkavy Hall, we need to raise an additional $5 million for our endowment and reserves to support the increased programming and operational needs of a growing Hillel, and to be able to sustain our mission and care for our new home.
Email skc79@cornell.edu to learn about a special opportunity to give this September.
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a HOME for Jewish students at Cornell.
The new Hillel building will be a place for Jewish students to gather, to celebrate, to explore their identity, and to connect with each other. Most importantly it will be a home. A place where they can be themselves. A place for support. A place they can belong.
The Hillel building will also be a welcoming space for all Cornellians. We hope that student clubs and other faith traditions will use the space for their own programs. Through the building, we will connect and build bridges throughout the campus.
Rabbi Ari Weiss, Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell CEO
Reaching our goal will ensure that the new Hillel center is built to meet student needs – from study and snacking to recreation and prayer. At the same time, our goal of reaching 1,800 donors will secure Cornell’s future for the coming decades.
As we build our new Hillel home, we are also creating a permanent fund for programs and staffing. Sustained vibrant and meaningful activities will attract students, foster their intellectual growth, and nurture their emotional wellbeing.
We expect over 3,000 Cornellians will use the new Hillel building every year – one of the most visited and popular buildings on campus.
A Kosher cafe, making Hillel the go-to spot for a convenient and delicious lunch or coffee
Huddle rooms for one-on-one, meaningful conversations and group work
A large multi-purpose event space with room enough for Shabbat dinner for 150 students
Beit Midrash and classrooms for enriching encounters with Jewish ideas and texts
A communal Kosher kitchen for group challah baking and cooking classes
A roof deck where students can catch the sun and enjoy a picturesque rooftop sukkah
A lounge, the heart of the building, a comfortable and cozy space where students feel at home
Administrative offices for the Hillel staff and conference room
Preliminary Design
Join us in creating the Hillel of tomorrow at Cornell. Construction costs for the building are $30 million. Securing an additional $18 million for Hillel's endowments and reserves will fund building maintenance, reduce the need for financing, and ensure the long-term vitality of Jewish life at Cornell by helping to fund ongoing professional support and programmatic costs of our growing Hillel.
Make a lasting impression. All gifts are payable of a 5 year period.
Hillel Name
$10,000,000
X
Building
$8,000,000
X
Campus
$5,000,000
Beit Midrash
$3,000,000
Cafe
$2,500,000
X
First Floor
$2,500,000
Lounge
$2,500,000
Events Hall
$2,500,000
Second Floor
$2,000,000
X
Third Floor
$2,000,000
Lobby
$1,500,000
X
Learning Center
$1,000,000
Community Room
$1,000,000
X
Roof Deck
$1,000,000
X
Porch
$500,000
X
Stairway
$500,000
X
Classroom
$500,000
X
Sustainability Initiative
$500,000
Plaza
$500,000
X
Security Envelope
$500,000
Fireplace
$360,000
X
Front Garden
$360,000
X
Conference Room
$360,000
Community Kitchen
$300,000
X
Holocaust Memorial
$250,000
X
Executive Director's Office
$250,000
Rabbi's Office (1/2 available)
$250,000
Engagement Team Office
$250,000
Art Gallery
$250,000
X
Study Rooms (3 available)
$180,000
Wellness Room
$180,000
X
Asst. Executive Director's Office
$180,000
Sukkah Trellis
$180,000
X
Book Collection, Beit Midrash
$180,000
X
Elevator
$180,000
X
Sefer Torah (1/3 available)
$180,000
Lawn
$180,000
AV Package
$180,000
Café Kitchen
$100,000
X
Hallways (1/3 available)
$100,000
Mezuzah, Front Door
$100,000
X
Reception Desk
$100,000
X
Torah Arks (0/2 available)
$100,000
X
Admin Office
$100,000
X
Backyard Garden
$100,000
X
Back Staircase
$100,000
Beit Midrash Anteroom
$100,000
Judaica Display Case
$72,000
X
Mezuzah, Beit Midrash
$72,000
Parking Lot
$72,000
Community Room Seating Area
$50,000
X
Electronic Billboards (2/2 available)
$50,000
Feature Wall in Community Kitchen
$50,000
X
Front Lawn Menorah
$50,000
X
Reception Seating Area
$50,000
X
Shabbat Candle Lighting Station
$50,000
X
Eternal Light
$50,000
X
Coffee or Nosh Station
$36,000
X
Handicap Accessible Outdoor Ramp
$36,000
X
Café or Lobby Mezuzah
$36,000
X
Lounge Mezuzah
$36,000
X
Hand Washing Station (2/2 available)
$36,000
Purim Megillah
$36,000
Lower Level Catering Suite
$36,000
Portable Mechitza
$25,000
Shabbat Dinner Tables (11/15 available)
$25,000
Torah Stand
$25,000
X
Study Booths (2/3 available)
$25,000
Community Kitchen Island
$25,000
X
Outdoor East Side Path
$25,000
X
Beit Midrash Bookshelves (2/5 available)
$18,000
Indoor Mezuzot (3/15 available)
$18,000
Shabbat Closet
$18,000
X
Tallis Rack
$18,000
X
Conference Room Table
$10,000
X
Study Room Tables (0/3 available)
$10,000
X
Lectern (0/2 available)
$10,000
X
Lounge Bookshelves (0/4 available)
$10,000
X
Student Activity Closets (2/4 available)
$10,000
Water Stations
$10,000
X
Benches (0/10 available)
$10,000
X
Bike Rack
$10,000
X
This is a special opportunity to add your name to the Grinspoon Hillel Center or to honor a relative, mentor, friend, or classmate.
This permanent mosaic will honor the visionary donors who are building the Jewish community’s new home at Cornell. Bearing names of alumni and families from across the generations, the Wall will be centrally located in the new Grinspoon Hillel Center. It will inspire students for decades to come.
*All donors above $1,800 to the capital campaign will be recognized on the Founders Wall
*Tiles may be reserved over a 5-year payment plan or with a one-time donation
