By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Mendy and Moushky Lachkar have been active since 2014 in the 13th administrative district (arrondissement) of Paris as Chabad Shluchim under Beit Loubavitch of Paris.
They have serving Jewish students learning and visiting Paris 7 Diderot University, Tolbiac center of University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, PSB Paris School of Business, research institution INALCO, AND France’s national library BNF.
Over 100 students enjoy a kosher lunch on a daily basis, there are Torah classes and study groups, activities for Jewish holidays, educational trips, financial aid, and personal guidance.
Now, they are looking for a permanent location suitable for the crowds they are drawing.
But real estate prices are sky-high in the popular Latin Quarter, known for its student life, lively atmosphere, and bistros. Some educational establishments such as the École Polytechnique even relocated in recent times to more spacious settings.
So the Lachkars came up with an original thought: If property is expensive, let’s try the water.
“Imagine a local center for students able to meet their expectations and needs,” they said. “It would be an independent location so that people can feel comfortable, spacious enough to accommodate all activities and in the heart of the borough to be accessible to everyone.”
Such a place exists – right on the Seine River, an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France, which flows by the Latin Quarter.
Rabbi Lachkar told COLlive.com that they want to purchase a boat that may just be the first permanent Chabad center solely on water. It will be called “Boat Chabad.”
He said it will allow them to host students in a study space, relaxation room and cafeteria. They will be able to host davening, classes and other activities there.
“It will be an unsinkable project,” he says.
To support their dream, donate at allodons.fr/boat-habad
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What an unbelievable project!!!
a fyna sevoro!
What will they do for shabbos