Over 300 Participate in Grounbreaking Event

Over 300 congregants and neighbors participated in a tremendous community ground breaking ceremony for the new TBI synagogue.  Sunshine, great music, delicious food, and wonderful community, were some of the terms used to describe the ground breaking ceremony which was held on Sunday, September 10, 2006, at the site of our new synagogue at the corner of 29th Avenue and University Street.  The event celebrated the beginning of construction of a new 21,500 square foot synagogue.

The event began with lively music from Rich Glauber, Beth Rose, Emily Fox, Vic Hansen, and Mark Hurwit.  After being filled with music and drenched in sunshine, participants were brought together as Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin blew a shofar to begin the ceremony.  He expressed appreciation for everyone who has stepped forward to offer their leadership, resources, and encouragement for the new building project.  In referencing the years of effort and perseverance, he offered a prayer that we may continue to succeed, “Let the beauty of the Eternal One our God be upon us; and establish the work of our hands; O prosper the work of our hands.”  (Psalm 90).  He then visualized what the new synagogue will become for generations to come, creating excitement in describing how the building will serve all members of our community in all phases of life.  He concluded his remarks with the theme of the capital campaign, “This is the day in which we arise and build.”

Rabbi Yitzhak then introduced Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy who congratulated TBI for all that it has accomplished.  She praised the use of sustainable materials and energy in the new building. She recognized that many members of the TBI congregation provide leadership in the larger Eugene community.  She also implored the congregation to continue to work for human rights and stated “I count on you to reach out across differences in our community.”

Martha Osgood of the Amazon Neighborhood Association welcomed TBI to the neighborhood, and expressed appreciation for a number of things including how the previous structure on the 29th and University site was demolished, to the recent maintenance of the site.  Andy Gordon, President of the Regional Board of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF), also congratulated TBI for what it has accomplished, and thanked it for contributing leadership to the JRF.

TBI President Sharon Rudnick concluded the official remarks by expressing her excitement about the project, and reminding everyone that it will take more time, energy, commitment and money to reach our final goal of “sitting together in our new sanctuary, with sunlight streaming through the clerestory windows.”  She emphasized that the generous participation of the entire community is critical to the success of the project, reminding everyone that no contribution is too small – or too large.  She encouraged everyone to listen with an open heart when solicitors from the capital campaign call.  She also thanked everyone whose contributions made the ground breaking possible.  

Rabbi Yitzhak then coordinated a hakafa, a ritual which involved the congregation joining hands while encircling and blessing the site through song and prayer.  Rabbi Yitzhak, Rabbi Maurice Harris, and Sharon Rudnick, then took gold shovels, and while physically touched and supported by all who were present, broke ground for the new synagogue.   Rabbi Maurice then led the congregation in a Shehechayanu.  While the music continued to play, the celebration continued with delicious grilled salmon, Boca burgers, and desserts.

The new synagogue will be a three-level design which includes a main sanctuary, a social hall, an administrative wing, and an education wing which includes nine (9) classrooms for the Talmud Torah program and two classrooms for the preschool program.  The design will meet all program needs for TBI, and allow all congregants to worship together in the synagogue during even the largest services which occur during the High Holy Days.  In keeping with the mission of TBI, that it serve as a center for Jewish life in Lane County and the larger community, the new synagogue will also house an office for the Jewish Federation of Lane County.

The synagogue design reflects the values of the congregation, including that it be universally accessible, that its use of materials and energy be sustainable, that the community be involved as much as possible in the planning and construction process, and that the design be of a Northwest contemporary style.  TBG Architects and Planners of Eugene produced the final design, and McKenzie Commercial of Eugene will serve as the general contractor for construction. 

The project is estimated to cost $4.8 million, and a capital campaign is underway to build and support the new synagogue.  If you have not yet been contacted by a solicitor for the capital campaign, someone will be contacting you in the coming months.  As Sharon Rudnick stated during the ground breaking ceremony, no contribution is too small – or too large; it will take contributions from our entire community to build our new home.

If you would like to volunteer for any aspect of the new building project, please contact Sean Hoar, Chair of the Steering Committee.  If you would like to volunteer with the capital campaign, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with a solicitor for the campaign, please contact Norman Levinrad or Hal Eisenberg, co-Chairs of the Capital Campaign.  You are also encouraged to visit the TBI web site at www.tbieugene.org for updates on the project.

Feedback

 If you have any questions or comments on the design, please contact Sean Hoar, chair of the New Building Committee.