Chabad of Phuket
JEWISH TRAVELERS’ CENTER
A project of Chabad of Thailand
Out of the Flood, a Burning Flame On December 26th, 2004, a Tsunami ravaged the tranquil island of Phuket, Thailand—one of the worst recorded natural disasters in history. Within hours, Chabad of Phuket was born with a singular mission to save lives and administer critically needed aid. As the relief activities wound down, Chabad of Phuket remained to serve the large flow of Jewish tourists to the island. In the decade since its founding, Chabad’s activities have grown steadily and incredibly.
Why we are here. In 2014... More than
180,000
Israelis visited Thailand
10,400
young Jews attended Shabbat services and meals with Chabad in Phuket
4,310
young Jews celebrated the Chagim with Chabad in Phuket
27,000
kosher meals were served at the kosher restaurant at Chabad House in Phuket
Open Doors Are Not Enough Phuket is an extremely popular destination for young Israeli travelers, especially after serving in the IDF. Chabad is home base: it’s a connection to their family, anchor to their people, launchpad for their future. Our current leased location is woefully inadequate for welcoming the tourists who depend on us. And tourism is on a steady rise. Recently, we’ve seen a marked increase in Jewish tourists of all ages and from every country. In Phuket, inns and hotels—from basic guest rooms to opulent resort facilities—are going up with record speed. The construction and investment boons on the island all point to an expected increase in tourism. We must build the future of Jewish life in Phuket.
Thinking Ahead For several years now, local property prices have been climbing quickly and dramatically. We knew that if we were to properly serve Jewish tourists to Phuket, we had to act quickly too. In 2008, we were handed a blessed and totally unexpected opportunity to purchase an empty lot on which to build. We did buy, but due to various obstacles the land was not ready to be built on until very recently.
Building the Future Plans are drawn for a spacious 2,424 sq. meter (26,000 sq. feet) purposebuilt Jewish center that will contain a synagogue, function hall, kosher restaurant, travelers’ lounge and women’s mikva. With G-d’s help, we plan to begin construction in July 2015 and inaugurate the building by June 2016.
BECOME A PARTNER IN THIS REALITY The Chabad House of Phuket is one of a kind. With hundreds of people passing through its doors daily and for weekly Friday night dinner, it is a “gold mine� in terms of Jewish unity and mitzvas. Most of the Israeli men and women we serve gave their best years to protect our people in Israel. It is our turn to give back to them.
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor
Please join us in co-hosting our heroes.
Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Thailand
Chabad of Phuket Jewish Travelers’ Center
DEDICATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS
Building Dedication h $750,000 RESERVED
This magnificent new center is well on its way to being built. Mr. George Rohr was the gracious benefactor of our property purchase. Several others have donated generously to begin construction. Now, we need the funds to continue building without delay. Please partner with us in this wonderful mitzvah to benefit tens of thousands of precious souls.
The Mikvah h $360,000 RESERVED
In Jewish law, building a beautiful mikvah takes precedence even over building a synagogue. This is for a simple reason: one can learn Torah at home, make a minyan on the train and give charity at work. But to build a future generation in purity requires a mikvah. We plan to bring this gift of Jewish generations to the young couples in Phuket. By dedicating this magnificent Mikvah, you invest in the Jewish future of every couple that passes through.
Synagogue Dedication h $360,000
“Those who establish synagogues for prayer and those who come there to pray...may the Holy One blessed be He send blessing and success to all their endeavors.” As in this quote from the Shabbat morning prayers, those who make prayer possible can count on G-d’s blessings multiplied by the prayers they facilitate. Build this spiritual refuge for all those who are looking to connect; build it for a priceless personal connection.
The Lounge h $250,000
More than anything, Chabad is where young travelers come to share and be heard. Our new lounge is a vital hub for personal reflection, oneon-one conversation and group discussion. Walls lined with Jewish-interest books, buffet stocked with hot tea and fresh cookies—this is the setting in which life paths are discovered and set. Give this island of peace to young travelers so they can ask, meet, discover and grow on their terms.
Banquet Hall h $200,000 RESERVED
A Passover Seder or an impromptu wedding; a Shabbat meal or a crisis headquarters—at Chabad of Phuket, there’s a new reason every single day to gather in this multi-purpose area to celebrate, volunteer and discover together. With one dedication, build an event space, dining hall and activity hub in which to see a community grow.
The Restaurant h $180,000 RESERVED
We are proud to have introduced the first and only kosher dining experience in Thailand, offering a full menu of daily and Shabbat meals. In keeping with our mission to make Jewish observances attractive and accessible, our menu prices are comparable to those of any non-kosher establishment, a goal achieved with donations. A full-service kosher restaurant can be your gift to the tourists who would love to eat kosher if they could.
Family Residence h $100,000
The secret of every Chabad center around the world is the family that powers it, committed for life to guide, teach and serve the Jewish people who pass their way. The residence at Chabad of Phuket will accommodate the Shluchim on their lifelong mission and give visitors an actual home to turn to in moments of true need. By providing a home for the Shluchim, you provide a practical way for them to continue serving.
Chabad of Phuket Jewish Traveler’s Center
Dedication Opportunities h . . . . . . . $750,000
Hand Washing Station. . . . . . . . . . $9,000
Main Synagogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . $360,000
Travelers Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000
Bima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,000
Banquet Hall
Shul Seating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,000
Restaurant
Amud–Chazzans Podium. . . . . . $26,000
Kitchen Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . $150,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,000
Rabbis Residence. . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000
Mezuzah 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,000
Security Enhancements. . . . . . . $200,000
Mezuzah 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,000
Handicap Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000
Bookcase 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,400
Rabbinic Interns Residence. . . . . $72,000
Bookcase 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,400
Main Entrance Lobby
Bookcase 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,400
Kids Playroom
Building Naming
Mezuzah 1
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
. . . . . . . . . . . $200,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . $180,000
Reserved
Reserved
. . . . $54,000
. . . . . . . . . . $54,000
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $360,000
Main Mezuzah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,000
Welcome Lobby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,000
Rabbi’s Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,000
Immersion Pool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $54,000
Adminstrative Office 1. . . . . . . . . $26,000
Preparation Rooms 1. . . . . . . . . . $26,000
Adminstrative Office 2. . . . . . . . . $26,000
Preparation Rooms 2. . . . . . . . . . $26,000
Mezuzah Dedication x10. . . . . . . $10,000
Mikva
Reserved
Wall of Honor
Help ensure the future of Jewish life in Thailand by dedicating a plaque in the new Travelers’ Center Founder’s Plaque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000 Builder’s Plaque:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 Sponsor’s Plaque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,400
Chabad of Phuket Jewish Traveler’s Center
Summary of Expenses h Purchase of property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $750,000 Building Chabad House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,114,844 Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $309,375 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $334,645
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,508,864
“WHEN A JEW MAKES A GOOD DECISION TO GIVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF TZEDAKAH… IT IS IMMEDIATELY DECREED IN HEAVEN THAT HE WILL HAVE PARNASA IN LARGE AMOUNTS AND THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO FULFILL HIS GOOD DECISION…” —The Rebbe