Opening Up the Torah Center

Interested in opening up the Torah Center? Send us the address or a picture of the location. We will send you updates on how to build and advise the best construction team to use, so the building is set up as quickly as possible.

See AI concepts of the building frontage, sanctuary hall and book-filled learning center, and get a planning guide for the sanctuary, seating, learning center and mikveh, and a rough cost estimate — then download it all as one pack. B״H

Three AI concept images: building frontage, sanctuary hall and a book-filled learning center
A written design and build plan for the sanctuary, seating, learning center and mikveh
A rough cost estimate for materials, labour, permits, fittings and contingency
The official steps to open, and advice on the construction team to use

Email us

Emailing is the fastest way to reach us — tap Email us and the message opens with a note already started, so you only have to add your address. There is no charge for asking.

1. Tell us about the site

The name, email and address are the only required fields — everything else helps us give a better answer.

Name

Phone (optional)

Address of the location

Details (optional)

Useful things to mention: how many seats you need, whether you are buying or leasing, and whether a mikveh is wanted.

How should we reply?

Email me

or just email us instead

Your enquiry goes to 613techgroup@gmail.com. It is not sent from this site until you press send in your email app.

What happens after you send

1We read your note and look at the addressWe reply by email with the first round of guidance for that site, and ask for a photo or any detail that would help.
2You get concepts, a plan and a cost rangeUpload a property photo on this page any time to see the frontage, the sanctuary hall and the learning center, with the written plan and costs downloadable as one pack.
3Then the people who will build itWe advise what kind of construction team to use and the order to do things in, so the building can be set up as quickly as the permits and your rabbi's review allow.

2. See your future building

Floor plans, seating charts & construction steps

Upload a property photo for three views: building frontage, sanctuary hall and a book-filled Torah learning center. The center’s name is אור החיים הקדוש, with physical Ohr HaChaim books featured in the learning room.

These are concept images, not measured blueprints or contractor-ready drawings. A photo cannot establish interior dimensions, structural safety or code compliance. Your licensed architect and engineer must prepare construction documents; your local rabbi must review the halachic layout, especially a mikveh. Check Hebrew lettering before making signage.

3. Rough cost estimate

Planning ranges in US dollars for materials, labour, permits and the rest. Not a quote — a licensed architect and contractor must price your actual building, and permit fees depend on the exact address.

Seats in the sanctuary

Building size (sq ft)

Standard of finish

Where is the site?

Include a mikvehInclude step-free access

Cost of the land, if you are buying (USD)

Item	Low	High
Materials Stone, wood, glass, roofing, wiring, plumbing, insulation	$534,820	$786,500
Labour Trades and site supervision for the shell and fit-out	$339,405	$499,125
Sanctuary fittings & ritual items Seating, Aron Kodesh, bimah, ner tamid, lighting, sound	$72,250	$106,250
Architect & structural engineer Drawings, structural and fire-safety sign-off	$92,565	$136,125
Permits, plan checks & inspections Municipal fees vary widely by address	$46,240	$68,000
Mikveh Design, water source and construction with a mikveh engineer	$102,000	$150,000
Step-free access & accessible restroom Ramp, door widths, accessible restroom	$46,750	$68,750
Contingency (12%) For the things every build discovers halfway through	$123,420	$181,500
Planning range	$1,357,450	$1,996,250

About $19,963 per seat at the top of the range. Add insurance, security and yearly upkeep on top of the build itself.

4. Official steps to open a synagogue & learning center

The general sequence communities follow. What applies to your building is decided by your rabbi, your municipality and a licensed architect — the same list is included in the downloadable design pack.

Opens as a one-page sheet you can print or save as a PDF — useful before you have a photo to upload.

1Gather the community
Write down how many families will attend, what a minyan needs, and who will lead services and learning.
2Speak with your local Orthodox rabbi first
He sets the halachic layout: Mizrach wall, Aron Kodesh, bimah, mechitzah or ezrat nashim, and whether a mikveh is possible on the site.
3Check the property rules before you buy or lease
Ask the local municipality whether the address allows a house of assembly / place of worship, what parking is required, and what signage is permitted.
4Hire a licensed architect and structural engineer
They draw the construction documents the permit office will accept and sign the structural and fire-safety work.
5Plan for everyone who will walk in
Step-free entrance or ramp, door widths, accessible restroom, hearing and sight support, stroller and wheelchair space.
6Design the mikveh with experts
A mikveh must be planned together with a qualified rav and a mikveh engineer — the water source and construction details decide whether it is valid.
7Book the scribes and ritual items early
A sofer writes the mezuzot and, later, a Sefer Torah; ask the sofer or your rabbi where to buy kosher items.
8Budget the practical costs
Insurance, security (lighting, locks, alarms), heating and cooling for a building used at set times, and ongoing upkeep.
9Get permits before you build
Submit drawings, pay fees, schedule inspections; the work must match what was approved.
10Dedicate the building
Plan chanukat habayit with the rabbi, the community and neighbours, and set the weekly learning schedule.

Ready-made request emails

Each button opens a pre-written email in your email app, headed OHR HACHAIM HAKADOSH TORAH CENTER אור החיים הקדוש. Add the address of your city or county tax assessor, or a local real-estate agent or auction office, fill in the brackets, then press send. A copy goes to 613techgroup@gmail.com. These are requests only — approval of a tax abatement depends on your local laws and your organisation's 501(c)(3) status.

Request a tax abatement Ask for low-cost properties & auctions

Questions people ask first

Short answers. What applies to your building is always decided by your rabbi, your municipality and a licensed architect.

Do I need a photo of the property?

No. The address is enough to start. A photo is what lets us prepare the three AI concept images of the frontage, sanctuary hall and learning center; without one we can still advise on the site and the next steps.

Are the AI images construction drawings?

No. They are concept images for inspiration. A licensed architect and structural engineer must prepare the coordinated drawings, structural details and fire-safety documents your permit office will accept, and your local rabbi must review the halachic layout.

Will you tell me whether the address allows a synagogue?

The binding answer comes from your municipality: ask whether the address permits a house of assembly or place of worship, what parking is required and what signage is allowed. We can help you frame those questions and follow up on the replies.

Can you help with a mikveh?

A mikveh has to be planned with a qualified rav and a mikveh engineer — the water source and the construction details decide whether it is valid. We put it in the plan and the budget and point you to the people to talk to.

Does it cost anything to ask?

No. Sending the location, the concept images, the written plan and the rough cost estimate on this page is free. The build itself is priced separately by your architect and contractor.

What happens to the details I send?

Your enquiry is saved on this site and an email draft opens so you can send it to 613techgroup@gmail.com. Nothing is published on a public page. If you have a photo, attach it in your email app before you press send.

Can you help find a cheap building?

Yes. Use the 'Ask for low-cost properties & auctions' button below to request auction, foreclosure, bank-owned and low-priced buildings in your area; a copy reaches us so we can follow up with you.

Who should I talk to first?

Your local Orthodox rabbi first, for the halachic layout; then the municipality for the property rules; then a licensed architect. The 'Who to talk to' list below has established organisations for a rabbi, a sofer and kosher ritual items.

Who to talk to, and where to find them

Established organisations that can point you to a rabbi, a sofer and kosher ritual items. Always confirm with your local rabbi.

Ready to take the first step?

Email the location and we will send building updates and advise the construction team to use.

Email Floor plans & seating charts