New Building Committee

The New Building Committee is hard at work increasing community participation and donations to our goal of a new synagogue, to manifest our vision for the future home of Temple Beth Israel and the broader Jewish community.

Climate Control in the New Building
By Nathan Philips

There have been many questions and some complaints about cooling the staff offices at TBI. Here is a brief, and possibly over technical, discussion of the system that is installed and how it is intended to perform. The Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems at TBI were selected to reduce the amount of energy required in their operation as a feature of our commitment to sustainability. Almost every room is equipped with an operable window that allows fresh air to cool and ventilate the space. There is no mechanical cooling (air conditioning) provided anywhere other than in the sanctuary and social hall which need to handle the extreme heat loads created by large crowds of people that occur occasionally. Even in these rooms, we have operable windows and the ability to cool the building naturally.

The administration and school wings are designed with radiant hot water heating and natural ventilation and cooling. The natural cooling system incorporates supply fans that serve two purposes: to provide ventilation when all of the windows are closed, and to perform a night flush by bringing cool air into the building at night to replace the hot air that developed during the day.

This unconventional system does not provide the same features that we are used to seeing in an air conditioned building. To operate effectively, it requires that we learn to use the building properly. This takes time and a bit of experimentation. In addition, there will be days of extreme heat each year when it will not be possible to maintain a comfortable environment. These compromises were discussed during design and the Project Development Group chose to emphasize sustainability by selecting the more energy efficient system.

To date, the system has not been operating at its optimal level for several reasons. The supply fans were programmed to ventilate during the day. This is fine during average weather, but during hot spells, the supply fan should run in their night flush mode to bring cool night air into the building. This has now been corrected. We are still working to train the staff and volunteers to understand how to optimize and properly use the system. And we are still tweaking the system. It was unfortunate that the week after we moved into the building was record breaking heat spell.

We plan to build a shading trellis on the south side of the office wing. This trellis will support plants that will reduce the heat gain during the summer and allow heat into the building during the winter when their leaves have fallen. The construction of the trellis has been deferred due to budget constraints. Once the capital campaign goals have been met, we will be able to raise the money to add this trellis which will help reduce the extreme temperatures in the offices.

The Glass Tile Project

The Herman & Rose Grossman Memorial Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation generously awarded the TBI Interior Design Coordinating Group funds for a glass tile project.

With the support of the Talmud Torah/Shalhevet staff and the Rabbis, our group created a plan to involve all of the TBI students from pre-K through 12th grade in a project to beautify our new building.

Saeed Mohtadi, from the Eugene Glass School, contributed tremendously to make this project possible.

Classes led by Sara Glater, with assistance from Saeed, resulted in a fused glass tile created by each student and teacher. These tiles will be grouted into frames by Jonah and Susie Freeman and the frames will surround the mirrors in the large women’s and men’s restrooms in our new building.

Students, teachers, committee members, and the Eugene Glass School staff had a wonderful experience! The enthusiasm was touching. The students understood that they were doing a mitzvah, contributing to the larger community. In addition, it was an opportunity for them to get a sense of ownership in our new home and to participate in a tangible way. In the years to come, they and their families can visit the Temple and see their creations and be reminded of their part in the creation of the new building. What a blessing!

We are grateful to all who made this possible,

The Interior Design Coordinating Group

Living Our Values: A Sustainable New Synagogue

by Sean Hoar

When we, as a community, entered into the design phase of our new synagogue, we decided to create a building that reflected our community values. Through a series of community meetings, we identified a number of these values, including sustainability, accessibility, community involvement, and financial responsibility. This article will discuss our community value of sustainability; future articles will discuss our other values.

Our community decided that, to the extent possible, we wanted to create a sustainable building. This meant that we wanted to create a building that was energy efficient, used environmentally preferable materials, would adapt to the natural exterior climate with minimal resources, and would ultimately have a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Although living within our financial means precluded LEED™ certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - a voluntary, national green building standard and certification system created by the United States Green Building Council), we nonetheless proceeded with the goal of adhering as closely as possible to the LEED design standards. Our principal architect, TBG Architects and Planners, designed the building consistent with these specifications. Jan Fillinger and Lisa Arkin of the Sustainability Advisory Group have informed the process and helped ensure that, as much as possible, our intent is manifested in our new synagogue.

The number of sustainable features in our new synagogue are too numerous to list in this article, but they include (1) a high efficiency building envelope, emphasizing higher than code insulation levels and high efficiency glazing to decrease the use of mechanical heating, ventilation, and cooling; (2) operable windows for naturally ventilated classrooms, administrative offices and other spaces, to promote good indoor air quality; (3) ceiling fans to increase the thermal comfort of occupants and reduce the need for mechanical cooling; (4) high-efficiency mechanical heating, ventilation and cooling for the high occupant load spaces, such as the sanctuary and social hall which require quick response thermal adjustments; (5) maximization of natural daylight, minimizing the use of energy for electric lighting; (6) energy-efficient lighting fixtures; and (7) materials that minimize or eliminate off-gassing of toxic pollutants.

What this all means is that, regarding sustainability, our community will be living its values for generations to come.

The New Building: Themes Guiding the Interior Design

by Ellen Todras

This is the first of a series of articles about the work of the Interior Design Coordinating Group for our new building. Over the next few months, we will try to give you a preview of what to expect when you enter the completed building.

Every day we move closer to establishing ourselves in our new home at 29th & University. In just a few short months, the move will take place. Imagine the day when you first set foot in the new Temple Beth Israel. Many things will be utterly different. But the ruach—the heart—of our congregation will be the same.

The work of many congregants over many years has brought us to this point. At the moment, the Interior Design Coordinating Group is working hard to place us in an environment that is conducive to both prayer and community. Members of this committee are Jan Fillinger, Sara Glater, Justine Lovinger, Teri Reifer, Amy Steckel, and Deb Stock. However, this committee has evolved from earlier committees. All had something valuable to contribute. Ideas were not lost but were incorporated as guiding foci in the present group’s decisions. Feedback came from many earlier committees: Arts and Sacred Space Group, the Sustainability Advisory Group, the Accessibility Advisory Group, as well as from the Board, Steering Committee, and the general congregation. These all provided the foundations for the decisions that are being made today. Thank you all!

Themes

Several themes guided this and earlier committees in their choices for the interior of the new building. Pre-eminent has been the theme of nature, and of bringing nature into the building. To this end, the group has chosen simple, natural colors to connect inside with outside. At the same time, the colors are warm and embracing, suggestive (we hope) of our congregation’s nature and intent.

Another theme the group has been guided by is timelessness. You will not see colors or designs that are the latest fads in our building. Rather, the hope is that decades down the road, the building will continue to appear beautiful and will remain relevant to the functions it will serve.

Finally, since our congregation is one with reverence for the past and for tradition, we plan to bring some of the beautiful things from our present space into the new space (specifics in next month’s article). These pieces will provide a bridge—a transition—from old to new.

The New Building: Honoring Our Past
by Ellen Todras

[This is the second of three articles about the work of the Interior Design Coordinating Group for our new building. Thanks to Rabbi Yitzhak for his help with this article.]

Moving to our new building is a joyous experience, but it also holds an element of sadness at leaving the Portland Street property that has served us so well and for so long. What—and who—came before us laid the foundation for who and what we are today. We hold the efforts of those who preceded us as sacred. We hope to honor our history through establishing a conscious continuity between the past and the next stage of our growth. By bringing forward elements of the current building to a home of honor in our new building on 29th and University, this hope translates into action.

1. Rabbi Myron Kinberg Memorial Chapel. You will find many elements of our beloved sanctuary in the new library/chapel, named in honor of Rabbi Myron Kinberg. Located on the second floor of the new building, the design of the library/chapel replicates the current sanctuary to some degree. The ark from our current sanctuary will be placed against the eastern wall of the library/chapel. The same stained glass windows will be set above the ark. The same ner tamid (Eternal Light) and menorot will be burning there. The plaque made by Lotte Streisinger in memory of Rabbi Kinberg will be in this room. Even the sconces from the current sanctuary will be lighting the walls of this room.
     Most of the time this room will serve as our library. Thanks to a donation of lovely oak bookshelves, there will be 40 percent more shelving in this room than we have at present. There will be four large tables that can be moved to the back of the room when necessary. The interior space will be able to open up for 40-seat gatherings around the ark.

2. Yahrzeit plaques. Also on the walls of the library/chapel will be our present yahrzeit plaques. In the new sanctuary will be a set of yahrzeit plaques whose design complements the design elements of that room. (These plaques will be described in detail in the article for the May newsletter, which will focus on the new sanctuary.) Be advised that the new plaques will duplicate all the names of the older plaques, and there will be room for another 10–15 years of names as well.

3. Magen David. The Magen David that is in the front wall of the courtyard of the present building (and that is the inspiration for the logo on the front page of the newsletter) will be moved to a courtyard wall just outside the social hall of the new building. On the other side of the wall will be the Preschool play area.

There is also a plan to honor our past the entire month before we leave the Portland Street property. We are hoping to mount a photo display of the different decades at the Portland Street building. We want to collect any artifacts, photographs, etc. that would be of significance. For more information on these plans, please contact Carole Stein.

Much thought has gone into the decisions of bringing the past with us in Temple Beth Israel’s move. Our focus is also in the present and future as we anticipate this move. The next article will center on some of the beautiful elements of the new sanctuary, through which Temple Beth Israel’s spiritual intent is expressed.

The New Building: Centered in the Sanctuary
by Ellen Todras

[This is the final article in the series about the new building. Thanks to the Interior Design Coordinating Group for their feedback.]

Like a jewel in the crown and at the heart of our new building, Temple Beth Israel’s new sanctuary was designed to embody the values and spirit that guide the congregation. This article will focus on various components of the sanctuary, providing a preview of the space before the Temple’s dedication and formal opening in June. The themes that guided the Interior Design Coordinating Group were nature, simplicity, and warmth. These guiding principles are the attributes prioritized by a number of previous committees. We sincerely hope that when you enter the sanctuary, you will be moved by the spirit of these themes.

Sanctuary doors. Two sets of mahogany doors provide entry to the sanctuary from the Social Hall. Surrounding the doors are sheets of glass with images of the seven biblical fruits sandblasted onto them. The images were designed by congregants Jan Fillinger, Sara Glater, and Judith Hankin.

Sanctuary floor and space. Most of the new building will have polished concrete floors; however, in the sanctuary the floors will be carpeted in colors and patterns that continue to reflect themes of nature. Pews were a necessity, related to building code and parking. The oak pews will be movable to accommodate various needs.

Bimah and ark. The bimah is a raised, soft semicircle, reaching outward to embrace the congregation. Light from the windows on the eastern wall will provide a natural frame for the bimah wall. The ark is made of mahogany, designed by the Artists Group and built by Mitch Zammarelli. It is inset on the eastern wall and rests on a stone slab. Surrounding the ark are frosted glass panels which will be illuminated from behind.

Yahrzeit plaques. The new yahrzeit plaques will be placed on the southern wall as you enter the sanctuary. Each name will be memorialized on a plaque. Individual trays with a stone will mark the person’s yarhzeit when it is commemorated. The names on the plaques in our current sanctuary will be duplicated on the new ones. The current yahrzeit plaques will be placed in the chapel/library on the second floor.

The Interior Design Coordinating Group has endeavored to repeat materials throughout the building to provide a sense of elegance, simplicity, and continuity. As a consequence of budget and/or other constraints, some design elements were changed or have been deferred to a later date. However, the pervasive spirit of the space is still present. We look forward to coming together as a community in this spiritual center of our new home.

Contact us with questions or comments by email:

newbuilding @ tbieugene.org

Over 300 Participate in Ground Breaking Event

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.