ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2001

News

Abraham Zelkin, president of the Woodbury Jewish Center, recently announced that the synagogue is initiating a $3.75 million Capital and Endowment Campaign to fund an expansion project.

The synagogue, although only in its 13th year, has become the home to 490 families and the expansion is planned to meet the needs of the growing congregation. The campaign is being led by Lee Rosen and Paul Smolevitz and Les Lerner is chairing the building committee.

The nursery school has an enrollment of 200 children, compared to 150 five years ago, and the religious school provides 350 students an environment to explore their Jewish heritage in. In addition, youth programs, senior programs and special children's activities are offered to the Synagogue's membership and community.

"This effort will make our synagogue a more embracing congregational home," said Zelkin. "It will be an expression of our passion for our heritage and for our community. The founding members created this synagogue with optimism and a fervent hope that it would be a warm and welcoming home. This campaign presents us with the unprecedented opportunity to offer every member the opportunity to once again be the builders of this synagogue - we offer all of our members a partnership in this once-in-a-lifetime endeavor."

For the nursery and religious school, the plans include expanding the number of classrooms from seven to eleven, a resource room to meet the needs of all of the students, three youth lounges, a state of the art Judaic library, a youth chapel, and an expanded space in the Kiddush facilities.

On the main level plans include a chapel that will meet the needs of the growing congregation, expanded Kiddush facilities, a new entrance lobby for the schools and offices, rabbi's study and administrative offices will be located on the main floor, a Judaica shop and an elevator.

The construction will begin after the Jewish holidays and is scheduled to be completed by September 2002. The cost to build the addition is approximately $2.25 million and the synagogue hopes to raise another $1.5 million to fund the endowment. "Funding has come from voluntary contributions," said Robbie Martz, development director at the Woodbury Jewish Center. "We already raised some of the money and we are in a campaign to raise more.

"As we embark on a new stage in history of the Woodbury Jewish Center, we are planning a chapel for our daily minyans and other intimate worship experiences," said Rabbi Arthur D. Rulnick. "We are adding significant space for offices, classrooms and social gatherings. In addition, we are hoping to establish an endowment that will enable us to expand our professional staff and programming."

From the reactions Martz has seen, the community is very excited about this project. "The residents are all supportive and feel this project is necessary for the Synagogue," said Martz. "Since Sept 11, it has been a bad time, but people now better understand the importance of their synagogue."

Anyone in need of further information or interested in donating should contact the Woodbury Jewish Center at 496-9100.