San Francisco Hillel Breaks Ground on a New Home for Jewish Life
San Francisco Hillel broke ground Sunday on renovations of what will become the Nancy and Stephen Grand Building, home for Jewish student life across the 11 Bay Area campuses SF Hillel serves. This milestone comes after the capital campaign raised over $9.3 million, surpassing its $8.6 million goal.
The groundbreaking marked the culmination of nearly two decades of planning and community effort. The renovation campaign was driven by generations of students, donors, and community members who sustained the project.
The ceremony at 33 Banbury Drive included remarks from State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco); San Francisco State University President Dr. Lynn Mahoney; Hillel International’s Senior Vice President of Leadership Giving Tim Cohen; SF Hillel Executive Director Roger Feigelson; SF Hillel Student Intern Ari Fridman; and Nancy Grand, for whom the building is named.
“After recent attacks on our community, breaking ground on a new building proves that we are resilient,” said Roger Feigelson, Executive Director of San Francisco Hillel. “This building will be more accessible and better equipped to serve Jewish students across the region than anything we’ve had before.”
“San Francisco Hillel has been a cornerstone of Jewish life across the region for decades; this groundbreaking reflects the commitment of everyone who refused to let recent attacks slow them down,” said Dr. Lynn Mahoney, San Francisco State University President. “Watching our Jewish students go from displaced to breaking ground in just a few months is a testament to what this community is capable of.”
The renovated building will serve students around the region with expanded programming spaces, private meeting rooms for counseling and pastoral care, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a food pantry to support those experiencing food insecurity, an elevator, and comprehensive security upgrades.
The groundbreaking also marked the launch of SF Hillel’s Jewish Futures Campaign, a multi-year giving program that will sustain Jewish student life across the Bay Area for generations to come. Donors who contribute $1,800 or more will be recognized on a special donor display in the renovated building.
“San Francisco Hillel is building something remarkable – not just a renovated building, but a stronger foundation for Jewish student life across the Bay Area for generations to come,” said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. “This space will be a home where students can gather, learn, and lead, and it reflects the deep commitment of everyone who made it possible.”