Drexel cut the ribbon on the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life, a facility at N. 34th St. made possible with the help of a $6 million gift from Perelman. It is the first building at Drexel constructed entirely through private philanthropy, and the University’s first standalone facility dedicated to Jewish student life.
“We are deeply grateful to the more than 40 donors who gave nearly $10 million to make this long-awaited vision for a Jewish home at Drexel a reality,” says President John Fry. “Although it took many hands to make this transformative project possible, we wouldn’t be here without the awe-inspiring generosity of Ray Perelman. He has changed the landscape of Philadelphia and has changed our landscape at Drexel.”
The building’s uniquely symmetrical design — inspired by the shape of a menorah — earned it praise from Wired.com, which named it one of “25 masterpieces” in architecture in 2016.