Master Plan

BJ Community House, from “A Century of Judaism in New York” by Israel Goldstein, 1930

The core objectives of the Master Plan are to enable our community to celebrate Shabbat Under One Roof, and to create a variety of spaces that address the multiple needs identified by BJ members, leadership and staff last summer in a way that reflects the particular “magic” that is B’nai Jeshurun. The presence of these kinds of spaces will enable us to build a stronger, more cohesive community through wider community programming, additional venues for simhas and ritual, and a wider offering of Jewish education opportunities in our own unified campus setting.

In Phase One we will address the elements necessary to allow us to occupy and use the building and to proceed in the future with subsequent work, as funds allow, without having to relocate the BJ office and Hebrew School during those later renovations. The decision to proceed with the replacement and upgrade of the building’s systems during this first phase was made because the heavy and disruptive work it requires cannot be done while the building is occupied. Were we to occupy the building and give up our current rental spaces at SPSA (Shabbat) and the Ansonia (offices), it would be a very disruptive, costly, if not impossible task, to find suitable temporary spaces in the neighborhood to move into during a future renovation period.

Phase One

There are three essential components of Phase One:

• Upgrade the building’s aging infrastructure and satisfy NYC’s Building Department Code
• Connect the sanctuary and the Community House to facilitate Shabbat Under One Roof
• Create efficient office, programming and celebratory spaces

Upgrade the Building Infrastructure: One core element of our Master Plan is our commitment to safety and energy efficiency throughout the building by upgrading all systems to current New York City Building Code requirements. It certainly is not surprising that a considerable portion of the Phase One renovation costs will be devoted to replacing or modernizing  the aged plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning infrastructure of our 85 year-old building.

Connect the Sanctuary and the Community House: An ample passageway will be constructed to allow large numbers of congregants, including children, to move easily between the Community House and the sanctuary.

Build Space for the Office, Shabbat and Programming: Multi-use rooms for Shabbat and other community programming will allow us to leave our temporary home at SPSA.  An efficient office space will be constructed on the 5^th floor enabling us to leave our rental space at the Ansonia. These changes will produce considerable savings in rental costs every year.

Investing in Our Future

The full implementation of our Master Plan according to our current estimates will cost $40 million dollars. We expect that Phase One will cost approximately $20 million, though we are continuing to assess our needs and will refine this estimate as planning proceeds. Our plan is fiscally conservative, and the costs are in line with typical NYC renovation costs for a 1920s building.

Timing

The work to complete Phase One will take approximately 18-24 months, including preparation of detailed plans and the raising of necessary funds. Construction will commence as soon as we have raised the funds.

Interim Arrangements

Between now and the time the work of Phase One is complete our space utilization will be as follows:

Hebrew School:  Our Hebrew School will continue to meet in the Community House through this upcoming school year (2012-13).  We will find appropriate alternative space for the school during the period of construction.

Shabbat and BJ Office:  We will continue to use SPSA on Shabbat and to maintain our offices at the Ansonia.

Other Uses: Space will be for BJ programming and meetings on Monday and Thursday when the building is already open for Hebrew School. On other days, to limit the costs associated with opening the building, the Community House will be available only for rentals and select BJ events when deemed necessary.

The Community House Campaign

We are in the process of building a strong and talented Community House Campaign Committee and anticipate a successful launch of this campaign in 2013. We will need to join together to reach our long-held goal of Shabbat Under One Roof. The Community House Campaign will be our collective challenge and our collective responsibility in the year ahead.

I look forward to speaking personally with anyone who would like more specific details about the renovation plans, and I will be providing updates on Campaign and building plans as they develop.

From my heart, I thank you in advance for joining me in this bold and ambitious undertaking.

I wish you and your family a most sweet and fruitful shana tova,

Jeannie Blaustein, Ph.D., D. Ministry
President, BJ Board of Trustees