Chabad of Madison Unveils New Center Amid Jewish Growth

Despite rising antisemitism that makes headlines almost daily, Chabad continues its activities, building and growing Jewish communities across the country, reminding everyone that Jewish life is not only here to stay, but to thrive. 

It was in this spirit that hundreds turned out to celebrate the grand opening of a new Chabad center in Madison, Wisconsin, last month. Addressing the crowd, Kathy Blumenfeld, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, captured the significance of the new Chabad center in today’s climate. “We’ve all seen the rising tide of hate and antisemitism and wondered, ‘What can we do?’ I think the answers are here at this center. Places like this help us bring people together to learn, to laugh, to recharge and to renew our obligations to one another.”

Founded in 1980 by Rabbi Yona and Faygie Matusof, Chabad of Madison started out serving Jewish students in the University of Wisconsin. After a few years, the Matusofs opened a small Chabad House on the ground floor of their home to cater to the local Jewish community.

“It was cozy, but tight,” said Rabbi Avremel Matusof. He and his wife Mushkie are second-generation Chabad representatives in Madison. His brother, Rabbi Mendel Matusof, now leads the Chabad presence at University of Wisconsin with his wife Henya.

Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, is home to an estimated 5,000 Jewish families, in addition to hundreds of Jewish students attending University of Wisconsin. The city’s Jewish population has grown steadily throughout the last few decades, with families drawn by the city’s university, tech industry, and progressive culture.

“Over the years, the crowds at Chabad got bigger and bigger,” said Matusof. “We started holding events in the backyard or at rented spaces around town, but it was always a challenge.” High Holiday services and other big programs were held outdoors because of overflowing crowds.

Several years ago, search began for a new home for Chabad. In 2020, the perfect location was found: a property on Monroe Street, one of Madison’s most beloved thoroughfares. The area is known for its walkable charm, lined with coffee shops, bookstores, and locally owned businesses — and it sits just a short drive from both downtown and the University of Wisconsin campus. Providentially, the property was already zoned for community use, sparing Chabad the agonizingly long and tedious process for permits and approvals.

Soon after the purchase, Chabad of Madison launched a $5.4 million capital campaign to fund construction. More than 500 people contributed — from longtime supporters to first-time donors.

Local entrepreneur Isaac Showaki, founder of Octopi Brewing Co., was among the project’s leading donors. The new building now bears the family’s name: the Marissa & Isaac Showaki Family Chabad Jewish Center. Another lead gift came from the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation. The Goodman brothers, longtime owners of Goodman’s Jewelers in downtown Madison, were well-known in the city for decades.

With their help, the dream of a new Chabad center became a reality. “There’s room for Hebrew School, adult education, services, and events for all ages,” said Dr. Jim Stein, another key donor and organizer of the building project. “We’ve seen three times as many people coming since it’s opened.”

“I loved the little Chabad House we had before, but on holidays, you could barely breathe,” recalled Eileen Bruskewitz, a resident of Madison, Wisconsin who has been with Chabad for more than forty years. “Having a permanent home gives the community a real foundation — a place to grow. And of course — like every good Chabad House — it’s already too small!”

The grand opening for the Chabad center was held on April 27, with Monroe Street closed off as hundreds gathered to celebrate in front of the brand-new building.

Isaac Showaki, standing at the front of the building with his wife and three children, explained that his contribution was also for “the next generation — to teach our children the values of Judaism and to keep our faith going.”

Dr. Stein summed up the moment: “The entire Jewish community showed up — leaders from synagogues, the Federation — everyone was there. It was a beautiful moment of unity — a new chapter for Jewish life in Madison.”

For Madison’s Jewish community, the new Chabad center is more than just a building. It’s a response to the present — and a promise for the future.