Three Buildings in Five Years: Cheder Menachem Celebrates Another Major Milestone in Kingston
What began with temporary classrooms and trailers has become one of Kingston's remarkable growth stories. On Sunday, Cheder Menachem celebrated the opening of its third school building in just five years, marking another significant milestone for Kingston's rapidly expanding Anash community.
Parents, students, staff, community leaders, and Kingston Mayor Jeffrey R. Coslett gathered on Sunday, October 25, for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the school's newly renovated Girls Middle School and High School building at 230 Pringle Street.
The celebration represented much more than the opening of another building. It reflected the tremendous growth of Kingston's Jewish community and the continuing efforts to provide sufficient space and quality chinuch for its expanding student population.
From Trailers to Three Buildings
Not long ago, Cheder Menachem was operating from temporary facilities, with nearly half of its classrooms housed in trailers.
The school eventually acquired its first permanent building, but Kingston's growth quickly outpaced expectations.
A second building was subsequently purchased to accommodate the boys' division.
Now, just five years into this period of expansion, Cheder Menachem has opened a third facility, dedicated to its Girls Middle School and High School.
The school's original building will continue serving the preschool and girls' elementary divisions, while the second building houses the boys' school.
With more than 700 students enrolled this school year, the expansion reflects the increasing demand for chinuch infrastructure in Kingston.
From Plumbing Company Back to School
The newest building has an interesting history of its own.
Originally constructed as a public school, the property was more recently occupied by a plumbing company before Cheder Menachem purchased it this past summer.
A determined renovation effort followed during Elul and Tishrei, as staff and volunteers worked to clean, prepare, and transform the property back into a functioning educational facility.
Facilities manager Rabbi Sholom Ber Schtroks and others were recognized for their efforts in bringing the project to completion on an ambitious timeline.
Community Leaders Celebrate the Milestone
Sunday's program was led by Cheder Executive Director Rabbi Yossi Baumgarten, who served as master of ceremonies.
The ceremony began with two middle school students leading the recitation of the Rebbe's kapitel, followed by Rabbi Yoel Chazan, principal of the boys' division, who led Kapitel Chof in the zechus of Yidden in Eretz Yisroel and around the world.
The community's Mara D'asra, Harav Gedalya Oberlander, delivered divrei Torah and brachos, emphasizing the importance of girls' chinuch and its central role in Jewish continuity.
Rabbi Yehuda Forster, chairman of Cheder Menachem's Board of Directors, also addressed the gathering, reflecting on what the new building represents for the school's future.
Kingston Mayor Jeffrey R. Coslett joined the celebration, demonstrating the significance of the occasion for the wider Kingston community.
The highlight came as members of the Cheder's board, together with Rabbi Mendel Hershkop, officially cut the ribbon.
Rabbi Hershkop was honored in recognition of the Hershkop family's tremendous contributions and dedication to the Kingston community.
Following the ceremony, families toured the newly renovated facility, while children enjoyed popcorn and cotton candy.
A Growing Community, a Growing Cheder
The opening comes at a time of remarkable expansion throughout Kingston.
As new families continue making the community their home, Cheder Menachem has faced the ongoing challenge of expanding its facilities while maintaining the Torah and Chassidishe chinuch at the heart of its mission.
Rabbi Avrohom Gorman, the Cheder's assistant director, expressed his excitement about the development, noting that the school's growth reflects the expansion of Kingston itself.
The dedicated new building will allow the girls' middle school and high school divisions to continue developing in facilities designed for their educational needs.
Helping Complete the Project
While the ribbon has been cut, fundraising efforts are continuing to cover the remaining costs of purchasing and renovating the building.
Cheder Menachem has launched a Brick Campaign, inviting families and supporters to sponsor a brick and have their names permanently displayed on a donor wall in the new building.
Contributions can be made at Charidy.com/brick.
For Kingston Anash, the message of Sunday's celebration was clear: A school that once struggled to find enough permanent classroom space has now opened its third building in five years.
And as Kingston continues to grow, Cheder Menachem is building for the generations ahead.
Source: COLlive — Kingston Cheder Opens Third Building in Five Years, October 27, 2026