What is the Kesher Campaign?

The Kesher Campaign is about building connections for the Ohev Shalom community.  Connecting the pieces of our synagogue campus with new and improved facilities, connecting among ourselves as friends and congregants and enhancing every member's connection with Ohev Shalom is the true goal of the Kesher Campaign. 

We're building again?  What are the plans and how will it help us?

There are 4 principal components to completing our building connections: an expanded social hall, a new entrance and lobby, a new chapel and lobby improvements such as a new gift shop, new and larger restrooms. 

What will happen to our auditorium?

Expanding the auditorium was the most important priority for the congregants who participated in early focus groups.  There will be additional seating capacity for large services during the high holidays, making the experience more comfortable and meaningful for the entire congregation.  Enlarging the room will also significantly increase its capacity for many events.   The larger space will have more flexibility for different size events and will make the room more attractive for large weddings and other mitzvahs.

Why are we building a chapel?  How will it be used and how will it help us?

An intimate chapel, with seating for 60-80 people, will offer many benefits to the congregation.  A flexible configuration will make the Adath Tikvah Montefiore Chapel a special place for study and worship, useful for small weddings and other mitzvot, for study groups and for minyan services.  The chapel will also help preserve our sanctuary, and make building operations more efficient. 

Will there be a new entrance?  What other improvements can we expect?

We will have a completely new entrance and lobby.  A central entrance will connect to all parts of our building, including the new chapel and social hall.  The new lobby will lead to a new larger gift shop, new restrooms and a larger hallway.  We will also add elevator access to the office building, making the Rabbi's Study and the Administrative Offices easily accessible for everyone.

When will all this work be done? 

Plans are underway to begin construction this year.  There is a limited construction window between the end of the school year and the first events of the fall, and we hope to being work by July 1.  The schedule and timing of the construction work will be determined by the Building Committee later this spring.

How will it affect other activities at the synagogue while construction is going on?

The synagogue's calendar creates a window for construction activity each summer, and the plans are that the work should not interfere with other events.  We expect to start work after the school year ends, and to finish the major portions before Labor Day.  All parts of the synagogue campus, including the Auditorium and the Sanctuary will be open and fully functional when they are needed. 

How much will this cost?

We have preliminary estimates from our architect, which indicate that we will need at least $2.6 million.  As fundraising progresses this spring, the Building Committee will make final decisions about the detail, design drawings will be prepared and firm bids solicited.

Where will get the money for this project?

All of the money needed for our synagogue home is to be raised through gifts from congregants, with pledges being solicited for payment over a 5 year period.

What happened the money that was already raised?

A few years ago, the Capital Campaign raised nearly $1.9 million, some of which was used for essential building repairs (the roof!) and some of which was used to retire short-term debt.  There is $1 million which has been designated to the completion of our synagogue campus, which means that the goal of the Kesher Campaign is to raise at least $1.6 million.

What about the gift that was announced last year?  Won't that pay for the new construction?

The extraordinary generosity of Irv and Elaine Levin will be used to address the synagogue's long-term mortgage debt.  Reducing what has been a large portion of our annual operating expenses will provide some of the financial relief which enables us to pursue the Kesher Campaign.