Jewish Family Congregation marks renovation with service

Friday, 06 November 2009 00:00

Jewish Family Congregation (JFC) of South Salem will celebrate the completion of a major building renovation, including a new sanctuary, at a special rededication Shabbat service later today. The renovations were completed over the past 18 months and made possible by the success of the synagogue’s capital campaign.

“The rededication is so important to us because it means that our synagogue has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to sustaining Jewish life in the greater Lewisboro area on a long-term basis,” said Rabbi Carla Freedman.

JFC, at 111 Smith Ridge Road in South Salem, is a community-based synagogue affiliated with Judaism’s Reform movement. Aside from being a place of worship, JFC’s members are committed to social action, volunteerism, and youth development. Adult and youth congregants conduct food and clothing drives, hold blood drives, and participate in quarterly midnight runs. Through the Adopt-a-Highway program, members clean up a two-mile stretch of Route 35 in South Salem every spring and fall.

The renovations were made possible by JFC’s Celebrating Our Spirit ... Now and Forever capital campaign led by co-chairs Jeff Berg of Goldens Bridge, Ken Aufsesser of Vista, and Ted Bloch and Hal Wolkin, both of South Salem.

“We developed a master plan to ensure a healthy and vibrant future for JFC,” said Mr. Berg. “We’re so proud of the broad support from our members during the campaign that enabled us to raise funds to retire our mortgage, undertake substantial renovations to JFC’s home, and to establish an endowment fund to support adult programming and planned building maintenance.”

The building renovations that were completed in time for the recent Jewish New Year included a new entranceway and larger sanctuary.

“Enlarging the sanctuary into adjoining space was not an easy task,” said Hal Wolkin, chair of the building committee. “It required the superstructure of the building be temporarily supported with a complex system of support jacks in the basement and first floor to keep the building from collapsing under its own weight while a new steel beam was installed. Fortunately, we had the benefit of excellent contractors who were capable of dealing with structural conditions that were somewhat different than expected. In a building that is almost 100 years old, we’ve learned that anything is possible.”

The architectural plan for the renovations was prepared by architect and congregation member Jerome Kerner of South Salem, who visited the job site regularly to modify the plan as necessary to address the changing conditions. Architect Gail Ascher, also of South Salem and a fellow congregant, worked with Mr. Kerner on the project.

“Now, it is a joy to sit anywhere in the sanctuary and have a completely unobstructed view of the service and all the other wonderful activities that take place there,” said Cantor Kerry Ben-David. “Of course, this adds to the sense of connection that the congregants feel at our spirited and joyful evening and morning Shabbat services. As a singer and cantor, I find that the acoustics of the new sanctuary are truly magnificent.”

Other renovations included a new library classroom; a youth group lounge; two new restrooms; a new school kitchen; new furniture for the business office; and new lighting, carpeting, shelving, bulletin boards, and fresh paint for all the classrooms.

“As a teacher and principal here for over a decade, I am thrilled at the transformation that has taken place in terms of the building’s appearance and functionality,” said Religious School Director of Education Leslie Gottlieb. “The K-12 school and Youth Group members are all the beneficiaries of these building improvements.”

At the rededication event on Nov. 6. a new “Tree of Life” sculpture and brass plaque that recognize all those who were involved in making the campaign a success will be unveiled.

JFC was established in 1981 and the congregation met and conducted services at the South Salem Presbyterian Church until it purchased its own home in 1993. The congregation relocated to an old estate on Smith Ridge Road that was built in 1910. After the purchase in 1993, it was refurbished and transformed into a synagogue. Since 1981, the congregation has grown to approximately 180 families.

Information: 763-3028 or JewishFamilyCongregation.org.