Fire Destroys Chabad Center in Tallahassee, Florida

By Matis Glenn

TALLAHASEE, Florida – On Motzaei Shabbos at 4 A.M., a devastating fire erupted at the Chabad Center of Tallahassee, Florida, causing extensive damage to the site.

The three-acre facility was the base of a massive kiruv enterprise, servicing thousands of college students at neighboring Florida State University, alumni, and families of the greater Tallassee Jewish community.   

The center, run by Rabbi Schneur Z. Oirachman and his wife, Chanie, was opened 10 years ago. Previously, the couple and their children have lived and worked as Chabad shluchim in the area for 23 years.

Rabbi and Mrs. Oirachman were out visiting alumni, parents of students and supporters of their shul, when they heard the news. “Chanie and I are shocked and overwhelmed by this terrible fire,” said Rabbi Oirachman. “Fortunately, no one was hurt. We are also committed to overcome this tragedy, and with G-d’s help we will yet build a stronger and brighter future out of the ashes.”

The center offers a wide array of programs, including daily minyanim, Torah classes, Shabbos meals, mezuzah giveaways, a kosher cooking club, and a challah baking group.

In 2018, when Florida was hit hard by Hurricane Michael, large swaths of the population were left without power. Chabad of Tallahassee distributed food to Jews and non-Jews in the area.

While nobody was hurt during the blaze b’’h, unfortunately, sifrei Torah and numerous other seforim were r”l destroyed.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but is being investigated by the Fire Department.

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