Our Story - TDS Timeline
1972-5732
Shluchim Arrive in TX
On May 10 Rabbi Shimon and Chiena Lazaroff arrived in Texas as the Rebbe's shluchim with little more than an ambitious Jewish vision and four children in a green station wagon.
As part of the Rebbe’s 70th birthday, the Rebbe wanted to establish 71 new Chabad institutions across the United States. The Lazaroffs were living in Detroit at the time and left the observant Jewish life they knew to take on Texas.
1976-5736
Purchase of 10900 Fondren
Four years after Rabbi Shimon and Rebbetzin Chiena Lazaroff arrived in Houston, they purchased a plot of land at 10900 Fondren Rd. in Southwest Houston.
1977-5737
Construction Begins
Construction began on what now is the current Texas Lubavitch Headquarters on Fondren Road – the world’s first Chabad Center built from the ground up. 400 people attended the groundbreaking.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe was the first contributor to the building campaign, donating 10 $50 bills. And Josef Mincberg, Mincberg Construction Inc., was “the chosen” builder.
Right to left: Rabbi S. Z. Hect, Rabbi Yosef Loschak, Joe Mincberg, Paul Wottring, Sam Kane,Rabbi S. Lazaroff
Tuvia Nelkin Turns The Dirt of the future foundation
School Begins
A new school was started with the help of Carol and Stuart Nelkin, with Torah Day School opening its doors in 1977 in a one-room trailer with seven students – the Nelkin and Lazaroff children.
1978-5738
Chabad Headquarters opened
The Chabad Headquarters opened its doors in time for the High Holy Days for the first time. The building could accommodate more than 100 people, quite an increase from the old apartment. TDS has a total of 14 children.
Pre School Classroom
TDS 1978-1979
1980-5740
Enrollment Grows
Enrollment at Torah Day School more than doubles to 40 students - the school had 7 students in 1977 and 14 in 1978.
Houston’s first mikvah, Mikvah Taharas Yisrael, opened.
As families decided to move closer to
the Fondren Southwest Center, the neigh- borhood surrounding Chabad-Lubavitch Center also expanded. On Shabbat, more and more Jews could be seen walking the blocks in their yarmulka and tzitzis.
Lefr to right:
Noam Saygeh, Gabriella Rind, Stacy Greenstein, Dina Rapport, Anat Gal-Nur, Natalie Avhalommov, Liat Zimmerman, Dina Schweitzer. Kraina Rapaport, Danny Fishman, Marina Kur
1986-5746
TDS 5th-8th Grades 1986
1981-5741
TDS represents
Torah day school represents in the Walk of Israel.
The Cagens at the Walk for Israel
1982-5742
Upstairs
A celebration is held in honor of the completion of the building upstairs which will house TDS. Rabbi Yakkov Yehuda Hecht comes to speak at the celebration.
The Rebbe's letter in honor of the celebration
Rabbi JJ Hect OBM
Sam and Aranka Kane receive an award from Rabbi Lazaroff
Pre School, 1982
Grade 4, 1982
1983-57483
New Shluchim
Rabbi Betzalel and Leah Marinovsky arrive in Houston.
1985-5745
1989-5749
Torah Day School graduating class of 1989.
Sharon Ruben was one of TDS’s 4th grade teachers, and both Danny Fishman and Daniel Cotlar are parents of TDS students.
1997-5757
Gemara test, circa 1979. Tuvia & Stuart Nelkin join Rabbi S. Lazaroff following a Talmud test of the first students of TDS, including the first graduate.
2003-5763
Chabad's 30th year
On March 9, Chabad celebrates 30 years with the then Israeli Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau and announces plans to expands the building to include a new men's mikva and administrative office downstairs; and classrooms, auditorium, full service kitchen, and event hall upstairs. 28,105 new square feet.
Preschool
TDS induces new preschool program.
2005-5765
Saved Torahs from Katrina
September 9. Seven Torahs were saved from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit. They were greeted by the students of TDS.
2007-5767
TDS's 30th year
Torah Day school celebrates its 30th anniversary year. With 120 students, 30 in the pre-school and 90 from kindergarten through eighth are at TDS. More than 800 children have passed through its doors since its humble beginnings.
Campus expansion
Chabad Lubavitch Center, Buys approximately two acres of land adjacent to the current one acre facility. The center, currently undergoing a major expansion and renovation to a complete a three acre campus.
The expansion will add eight new classrooms, Judaic and general libraries, dedicated computer and science labs, a new assembly hall, a teachers’ resource room, and a sheltered rooftop playground. A new early childhood program for 18-month-old toddlers is part of the plan. The modernized building double its capacity to allow comfortably for 280-students.
Construction begins
February 4. The Houston community attend a groundbreaking for the new expansion of the campus.
2008-5768
New West wing
On July 13 A Chanukas habayis is celebrated for the new west wing with up and coming singer Benny Friedman.
2014-5774
New Playground
A new playground is built and dedicated in memory of Brian Grodner.
2016-5776
New Principal
Rabbi Enan Francis his wife Gitty move to Houston to be the new Principal and Assistant Head of School. He assumed his new post on Aug. 1.
2020-5780
New Shluchim
Rabbi Shmuly and Mindy Ceitlin, the newly appointed shluchim to Houston, Texas, join the TDS staff. Rabbi Ceitlin establishes the new pre-mesivta program for 8th grade boys.
Memorable Adar
Torah Day School marked the start of Adar with a visit from a convoy of horses and wagons. Head shliach Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff also joined the fun.
Drive-by Graduation
Friends and family lined the streets of the Torah day school neighborhood for a drive by ceremony to congratulate the graduating Kindergarteners.
2022-5782
New Shluchim
Rabbi Shmuly and Geula Gniwisch, newly appointed shluchim to Houston, Texas, join the TDS staff.