Chabad of the Tri- Valley in Pleasanton officially has a new home.  After nine years of using rooms in various facilities around the area, the Chabad center moved into a 4,000- square-foot building in December.

Chabad’s new, expanded center in Pleasanton

“The house is an expression of the growth of Jewish life that has been happening in the area,” said Chabad Rabbi Raleigh Resnick.

The two-story building at 1258 Quarry Lane will provide space for the Gan Chabad Preschool, adult education courses, Hebrew school and youth group meetings, in addition to serving as the administrative office for the center.

The Chabad center signed a 3-year lease on the building, and is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to help with expenses.

Resnick said the population of the Tri-Valley area has grown to approximately 280,000 residents, an increase of some 50,000 since the rabbi and rebbetzen founded the Chabad House almost a decade ago.

Resnick, who serves as a Jewish chaplain in area hospitals, said Tri-Valley Chabad has helped to put up nearly 500 mezuzahs for local residents and brought awareness of kosher products available in supermarkets.

The move to expanded quarters is a welcome change, Resnick explained. “Until now we were using my living room for things. It even doubled as a kids club.” — abra cohen