The Mah Tovu Campaign
Commitment to thoughtfully designed and utilized spaces is a hallmark of our Jewish tradition, and our sacred work here TI. That’s why it’s with great enthusiasm that we want to share some exciting work which will be beginning soon at Temple Israel, The Mah Tovu Campaign.
This campaign, made up of a few different projects, will help transform and reinvigorate some of our most beloved gathering spaces, and create new opportunities for Jewish living and learning. Each project represents our commitment to utilize all of our spaces to their fullest potential. We are grateful for the tireless work of the professional staff, lay leadership, donors, dreamers, and contractors, who will help bring each to fruition. This campaign would not be possible without the support of both the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, who unanimously supported these important projects. The Mah Tovu Campaign and its projects will begin over the summer, culminating hopefully in early fall.
Giving Opportunities
| Parochet (curtain that covers the ark) | 1 | $5,000 |
| Torah Covers | 2 | $1,800 |
| Yads | 2 | $180 |
| New Weekday Siddurim | 10 | $54 |
| Chairs | 40 | $360 |
| Mezuzot | 7 | $180 |
| Tallitot | 20 | $180 |
| Bookshelves | 4 | $720 |
| Storage for tallitot/tefillin | 10 | $180 |
| Talmud set etc. | 1 | $3,600 |
| Kitchenette pieces (refrigerator, microwave etc) | 1 | $5,000 |
| Yahrzeit Board | 1 | $10,000 |
| Window Treatments | 2 | $3,600 |
| Ark | 1 | $10,000 |
| Readers Table | 1 | $10,000 |
| Hertz Classroom | 2 | $5,400/each |
| Hertz Office | 2 | $5,400/each |
Please speak with Rabbi Fineberg about these additional opportunities:
- Sukkah ushpizin sponsorship level
- Sukkah decorations
- Sukkah sound system
- Sukkah heaters
- Room naming opportunities
Updates & Progress Photos
CLICK HERE to view photos of the construction progress! Please check back as we will continue to update the album.
We are excited to provide an update on the ongoing Mah Tovu construction in the building. We have made significant progress in our efforts to enhance our building.
First and foremost, I am delighted to share that the construction of the Taubenfeld Cohen Sukkah has been successfully completed. This addition provides a wonderful space for our community to come together to celebrate Sukkot and other special occasions. We look forward to continue to create beautiful memories in this new space. A HUGE thank you goes out to Howard Rothberg for his tireless dedication and work on getting all the materials put together to ensure that our Sukkah was truly a Sukkah!
The construction of the Weitzenkorn Family Chapel is also progressing well. As of now, we are waiting for the millwork to be built and installed as well as the ark, amud and window installations to be delivered from our architect. Once these crucial next steps are complete, our new chapel will be ready to serve as a sacred and welcoming place for gatherings, services, and learning. Be on the lookout for a date for us to celebrate a dedication for the new space.
Lastly, the construction downstairs in our Hertz space has begun! The former library is being turned into two new gross motor skills rooms. While the old chapel is being transformed into two offices for Lesia Glass, Director of Hertz, and the new Assistant Director of Hertz. While we expect things to go smoothly, we may see this project taking up to 4 weeks to be completed.
Campaign Details
Weitzenkorn Family Chapel
With the generous gift by Jeff Weitzenkorn, we are thrilled that over the course of the summer we will be moving our chapel space upstairs to the double classroom on the southeast corner of the building. The move to a much brighter and open space will allow us to reimagine the intimacy and community that are the building blocks of our minyan. We commissioned a leading creator of Jewish spaces, Amy Reichert, to help bring our vision to fruition. The Weitzenkorn Family Chapel design Amy created is inspired by the Choshen, the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol/High Priest, which was adorned with 12 precious stones representing the 12 Tribes of Israel. Like the Choshen, our Chapel will be a multifaceted gem for our community, a space that encourages the sparkling diversity and varied means of connection that are a hallmark of our prayer experience. The new chapel will feature plenty of seating, a place for breakfast, and the ability to function as a small Beit Midrash/study hall. Please be on the lookout for different ways to contribute and make an impact on this exciting project.
Pictures of New Chapel
Taubenfeld Cohen Sukkah and the Brotherhood Pavillion
During Sukkot last year we realized our Sukkah was getting a little squishy and tired from use. In addition, there has long been a hope to create a functional outdoor space that could allow students and congregants to learn and gather even without perfect weather. As they often do, the Brotherhood swept into action to help us to reinvision the Cohen-Kriegel Sukkah and our outdoor space. With the guidance and vision of Howard Rothberg, we arrived at an innovative design that allows us to have a 3-Season pavilion that transforms into a Kosher Sukkah during Sukkot. The continued generosity of Jane Taubenfeld Cohen and David Cohen and the Brotherhood are helping transform our space to be truly multipurpose. We can’t wait to welcome even more people into the Sukkah than ever, and to enjoy outdoor activities for months to come.
Proposed Sukkah
Tentative Timeline
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Berger Hall Painting July 5-7th potentially through 11th
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New Chapel construction and Sukkah to begin July 5th
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Library/Old Chapel clean out—July-August
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Asbestos Remediation (If necessary) - Hertz vacation week in August
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Hertz Class and Office Space (library and old Chapel) will begin after the High Holidays (Mid October)