From 30 Girls to 3,000: Bais Rivkah Celebrates 85 Years
In 1941, when Bais Rivkah first opened its doors in a small Brooklyn storefront, there were just 30 students. It was a modest beginning, but the vision was anything but small.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveIn 1941, when Bais Rivkah first opened its doors in a small Brooklyn storefront, there were just 30 students. It was a modest beginning, but the vision was anything but small.
Founded by the Frierdiker Rebbe, Bais Rivkah was a pioneering institution dedicated to providing girls with a true Chassidishe education. What began as a small school would grow into one of the largest Chabad educational institutions in the world, shaping generations of Jewish women and impacting communities across the globe.
Today, 85 years later, nearly 3,000 students walk through Bais Rivkah’s doors every day, from the youngest preschoolers to young women in seminary. Thirty girls have become thousands. A small storefront has grown into a network of buildings. And the vision that began in 1941 continues to shape the future of Chabad.
This remarkable growth has brought another milestone: a new building for Bais Rivkah Seminary. More than additional space, the building represents the continued expansion of the Rebbe’s vision for girls’ chinuch, providing young women with the space and environment to learn, grow, and prepare for the future.
At the heart of Bais Rivkah is the understanding that it is more than a school. It is one big family, united by a shared commitment to the Rebbe’s vision and to the chinuch of every student.
The Rebbe emphasized the importance of warmth, encouragement, and genuine love in education:
“To succeed, a teacher must be infused with ahavas Yisroel and employ ‘the right hand that draws close….’ As can easily be observed, when education is approached cheerfully and amicably, the outcomes are much greater and quicker than when other approaches and methods are used.”
These words capture the heart of Bais Rivkah. While the school has grown tremendously in size, its foundation remains the same: ahavas Yisroel, dedication, and a commitment to helping every girl reach her potential.
As Bais Rivkah celebrates its 85th birthday, students throughout the school join in the festivities, with a glow-in-the-dark dance party, birthday farbrengens, and classroom celebrations for preschool the whole school.
These celebrations mark more than a birthday. They honor 85 years of dedication to the Rebbe’s vision, the generations of girls whose lives have been shaped by Bais Rivkah, and a legacy that continues to grow with every new generation.
Take part in the 85th birthday celebration by taking on a hachlata! Let’s bring Moshiach today!
Click here.
Never Miss a Headline!
Sign up for the COLlive Daily News Roundup and never miss a story
Opt In
- I would like to receive the collive newsletter