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This is the first issue of a regular report from the NextDor Leadership Team to the larger Temple Israel Community. (TL;DR is internet-speak for ”Too Long; Did Not Read”; a very short summary of the report’s content.)
Each Leadership Team Report will include news and developments that have taken place since the last issue.
Anyone who has ever been involved in a project of this scale knows, it always moves slower than it seems like it should. Except when it moves too quickly! We know that you share our frustration that this stage of the process feels longer than anticipated; we are pushing forward as diligently as we can. We wish that we had more of an update to share.
Right now we are focused on completing our review of the offers we have received for our 22nd and Yorktown property. There are options which would have us constructing a new building on our current property, and options which would have us moving to a new location; perhaps building new construction, perhaps renovating an existing building. We are carefully reviewing the implications – financial and otherwise – of all options.
More specifically, we are working with a local engineering firm to explore what our options would be if we wanted to build on our existing property; there are sewer and drainage lines which may present significant complications. At the same time, we continue to look at alternative buildings and locations. The current challenge we face is getting the different variables lined up closely enough to be able to compare apples to apples, or at least apples to some other kind of fruit!
Each issue of the Leadership Team Report will feature an in-depth review of a specific facet of the NextDor Project.
For this first issue, we thought it would be helpful to review the process we have engaged in thus far.
Well before the formal beginning of the NextDor process, Temple Israel was engaged in extensive conversations about its future needs and what kind of congregation it aspired to be. Those early conversations were the basis of the work which followed as part of NextDor.
In NextDor Phase 1, four Working Groups each developed recommendations of what criteria they thought would be most important for Temple Israel in thinking about a new physical home. They considered both “hard” needs; i.e. how many classrooms, how large a sanctuary, etc., and “soft” criteria; i.e. what should the space feel like.
These four groups worked in parallel, submitting the results of their work to the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team then synthesized those results, and prepared a working document laying out the priorities. Approximately 20 congregants were involved in Phase 1.
The baton was then passed to the NextDor Phase 2 Working Groups. In this phase, four different Working Groups examined the possible approaches to a new physical home – building a new building, renovating our existing building, building out an existing building to meet our needs, and remaining in our current space. It became clear that remaining in our current space would require such significant work that it would not be financially realistic. Approximately 18 congregants were involved in Phase 2.
At that point, we decided that it was time to bring in an architect to help us analyze the alternatives. After a nationwide search, we selected the firm of Finegold Alexander. Finegold Alexander has worked with synagogues across the country on a wide array of projects, from new construction to restoration and renovation. Confident they are the right firm for us, we are excited to be moving forward under their guidance.
We are currently in NextDor Phase 3. We have listed the property for sale and have received several strong offers. We are still looking at alternative locations. At this time, we are functioning through a Building Committee (led by David Weil), a Communications Committee (led by Julie Rettinger), a Development Committee (led by Brina Reinstein), and a Property Search Committee (led by Todd Arlan). Those Committee Chairs, with Temple President Jon Stolper and Rabbi Michael Weinstein, constitute the NextDor Leadership Team.
Bulleted items show upcoming events/decisions/steps
We are looking forward to hearing from the consulting contractor with some more refined estimates about what construction would cost.
We are working with those who have made offers on our property to clarify their bids.
We are zeroing in on one or two potential building designs which may work for us.
We are looking at one or two pieces of land which may work for us.
We are working with the architects to explore both new construction and an “adaptive reuse” of an existing building.
Each issue of the Leadership Team Report will include a question on which the Leadership Team would like your feedback. We will share the highlights of what we learn in the next edition.
This issue’s question:
Is there a synagogue you have visited, other than Temple Israel, which you think was especially well-designed and thought-out?
The Leadership Team will provide a dedicated webinar to gather feedback and answer questions as we proceed in this process.
Sincerely,
Your NextDor Leadership Team