Chabad extends creche
WITH more than 30 students on its waiting list, Bentleigh Chabad is set to almost double available places in its early learning centre.
WITH more than 30 students on its waiting list, Bentleigh Chabad is set to almost double available places in its early learning centre.
Following council approval last week, the Cecil Street creche, catering for children aged between six months and six years, will increase in floor area and number of children from 39 to 74, and staff from seven to 11.
“Until now, we have had 39 and have been approved to have two rooms and add 30-plus kids,” Rabbi Mendel Raskin explained.
Despite recommendations to refuse the permit on grounds that included noise impacts and inadequate car-parking facilities, the Glen Eira City councillors unanimously approved the plan to increase the number of children and staff at the Bentleigh East site.
In granting the approval, certain conditions were imposed, including a sealed, drained and constructed parking area, clearly marked with access lanes and driveways, and the creation of a car-parking management plan.
Rabbi Raskin said he hoped the “minor building works” would be completed within months.
According to council records, 13 properties were notified of the plans for the expansion of the creche, with six objections received.
Rabbi Raskin, the early learning centre’s founder, attributed the increasing demand in the creche to a short supply of Jewish educational facilities in the Bentleigh area.
“There is another creche with Jewish content but it’s not kosher,” he said. “We feed the children with kosher food, run programs for Shabbat … and the yamim tovim [Jewish holidays].”
Many of the families at the centre include Israeli and other immigrants.
“Bentleigh East is not a religious community, but people want to give their children what they had and we provide this,” Rabbi Raskin said.
The creche was reopened in mid-2009 after it closed five years earlier with financial debts of around $500,000.
Founded in 1986 by Rabbi Raskin and Chabad identity Mottel Feiglin, Rabbi Raskin lost control of the centre in 2003 when it went into liquidation. It reverted to his control after he repurchased it later that year.
DALIA SABLE
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