The Urgent Need | Building Reserves for the Future | What is a Capital Campaign? Why Now? | Our Path Forward | A Legacy | Your Role | Project Overview
Opening Doors for Generations
A Capital Campaign for Adath Jeshurun Congregation
For more than 140 years, Adath Jeshurun Congregation has been the heart of a vibrant Jewish community — a place of worship, learning, celebration, and connection. From the joyful voices of our youngest members in the Gan, to the soulful prayers in our Sanctuary, to the meaningful lifecycle events that mark our lives, our building has been a true center of Jewish life, l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation.
Now, after three decades of continuous use, the core systems and spaces that sustain this sacred work are at a critical point. To continue to open our doors to all who seek meaning, belonging, and community, we must come together to renew our physical home.
For more than 140 years, Adath Jeshurun Congregation has been the heart of a vibrant Jewish community — a place of worship, learning, celebration, and connection. From the joyful voices of our youngest members in the Gan, to the soulful prayers in our Sanctuary, to the meaningful lifecycle events that mark our lives, our building has been a true center of Jewish life, l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation.
Now, after three decades of continuous use, the core systems and spaces that sustain this sacred work are at a critical point. To continue to open our doors to all who seek meaning, belonging, and community, we must come together to renew our physical home.
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The Urgent Need
Our building has served us well, but time has taken its toll. Many of our most essential systems are beyond their expected lifespan. Over the past decade, we’ve stretched their use with repairs and patchwork solutions, often tapping reserves to cover emergency costs. We have now reached the point where repair and replacement is no longer optional. After a year of careful assessment by clergy, staff, outside experts, and lay leaders, more than $5.5 million in critical projects have been identified. These include:
These are not “nice-to-have” projects — they are essential investments that will ensure our congregation’s physical home can safely and fully support the richness of our spiritual and communal life. Beyond addressing urgent needs, these improvements will also reduce long-term costs, increase energy efficiency, and provide a strong, sustainable foundation for our community for decades to come. |
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Building Reserves for the Future
To follow best practice in caring for our physical home, we are also exploring the possibility of building up our maintenance reserve fund so future repairs can be addressed proactively rather than deferred. Based on projected needs, reserving $2.5 million for future repairs and upkeep would help ensure we do not need to return to the congregation in the next decade for emergency funding. If campaign results allow, this reserve would enable future leaders to address repairs as they arise and steward the building responsibly for years to come.
By combining the $5.5 million for current urgent needs with an additional $2.5 million for future repairs, our total campaign goal is $8 million.
To follow best practice in caring for our physical home, we are also exploring the possibility of building up our maintenance reserve fund so future repairs can be addressed proactively rather than deferred. Based on projected needs, reserving $2.5 million for future repairs and upkeep would help ensure we do not need to return to the congregation in the next decade for emergency funding. If campaign results allow, this reserve would enable future leaders to address repairs as they arise and steward the building responsibly for years to come.
By combining the $5.5 million for current urgent needs with an additional $2.5 million for future repairs, our total campaign goal is $8 million.
What is a Capital Campaign? Why Now?
A capital campaign is a large-scale, time-limited fundraising effort by to raise significant money for a specific project, such as building new facilities, purchasing major equipment, or establishing an endowment.
Adath has not undertaken a capital campaign since this building was first constructed. We have relied on the generosity of past generations to sustain us — now it is our turn to care for this sacred space.
Today, several factors make this the right moment to act:
After a year of careful assessment by clergy, staff, outside experts, and lay leaders, more than $5.5 million in critical projects have been identified. These include:
If we delay, the risk of system failure grows, repair costs will rise, and we risk disrupting the essential spiritual and community services that define Adath.
A capital campaign is a large-scale, time-limited fundraising effort by to raise significant money for a specific project, such as building new facilities, purchasing major equipment, or establishing an endowment.
Adath has not undertaken a capital campaign since this building was first constructed. We have relied on the generosity of past generations to sustain us — now it is our turn to care for this sacred space.
Today, several factors make this the right moment to act:
After a year of careful assessment by clergy, staff, outside experts, and lay leaders, more than $5.5 million in critical projects have been identified. These include:
- Clear and pressing needs backed by expert assessments and detailed planning.
- Strong leadership, with an aligned clergy, staff, and lay team ready to guide this effort.
- Opportunity for impact, as these upgrades will reduce emergency maintenance costs and build long-term sustainability.
If we delay, the risk of system failure grows, repair costs will rise, and we risk disrupting the essential spiritual and community services that define Adath.
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Our Path Forward
This campaign will unfold in several phases:
We are beginning by listening — to you, our congregation, and our community. Your input will shape the campaign’s priorities and vision. |
More Than Repairs: A Legacy for Future Generations
This effort is about more than replacing boilers or repairing parking lots. It is about preserving the heart of our congregation — a place where all who seek connection to Jewish life can feel at home.
By coming together now, we will:
This effort is about more than replacing boilers or repairing parking lots. It is about preserving the heart of our congregation — a place where all who seek connection to Jewish life can feel at home.
By coming together now, we will:
- Sustain a vibrant, welcoming spiritual home for today and tomorrow.
- Strengthen our financial foundation by reducing emergency maintenance costs and improving energy efficiency.
- Ensure that Adath remains a beacon of Jewish life, accessible to all, for generations to come.
YOUR ROLE
Every member of our community has a part to play. Over the coming months, we will invite you to share your hopes for Adath and your thoughts about this campaign. Together, we will ensure that our congregation’s physical home reflects the warmth, vitality, and sacred purpose of the community it serves.
Every member of our community has a part to play. Over the coming months, we will invite you to share your hopes for Adath and your thoughts about this campaign. Together, we will ensure that our congregation’s physical home reflects the warmth, vitality, and sacred purpose of the community it serves.