Gratz College is planting roots with a new office in Jenkintown and has big plans for its newly acquired Bala Cynwyd campus, writes Ryan Mulligan for Philadelphia Business Journal.
After the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia acquired its longtime Melrose Park home, Gratz signed a five-year lease for 3,700 square feet at 315 Old York Road in Jenkintown. The location lets Gratz stay connected to the local Jewish community while serving as a hub for staff and in-person adult education programs.
The Jenkintown office is just one part of a larger vision. Gratz is investing $6 million to revamp its 14,500-square-foot Main Line property in Bala Cynwyd, transforming it into a vibrant gathering space with a café, theater, coworking areas, classrooms, and more. Construction is set to begin in June, with completion expected by February 2026.
President Zev Eleff says the Jenkintown site will serve as a “convener space” for Jewish and community organizations. Thanks to increased enrollment in its online graduate programs and growing philanthropic support, the 129-year-old institution is using this momentum to make its physical spaces more dynamic and inclusive.
“Things are really clicking on all cylinders, from public programming to our graduate programs, [to] our financial health overall,” Eleff said.
Read more about Gratz College in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
