Saturday, April 28, 2018
Deal enables Jewish Community Center growth, survival of Orthodox congregation, leaders say
Louisville's entire Jewish community will benefit if Metro Council signs off on part of an agreement reached this week related to an Orthodox congregation's property and its contentious landmark designation, key participants in the deal told Courier Journal.
The deal would allow the Anshei Sfard congregation — Kentucky's only Orthodox synagogue — to sell its property and relocate to a more appropriately sized space, while also enabling the Jewish Community of Louisville to create an expanded, state-of-the-art community center.
"If (Anshei Sfard is) forced to maintain that out-of-date building, with all the structural problems it has, they're going to go out of business. They have to right-size," said attorney Donald Cox, who represents the congregation. This deal, he said, will "provide the wherewithal to continue having an Orthodox synagogue in Kentucky."
The plan hinges on a joint effort to get the Louisville Metro Council to overturn the landmark designation a city agency last month bestowed on the property at 3700 Dutchmans Lane. The Jewish Community of Louisville will buy the property only if the restrictions are removed.
The groups are confident they can present a strong, persuasive message to Metro Council, given that the "entire Jewish community" is in agreement.
"This is something that could critically help or critically damage our Jewish community and our faith in Louisville — particularly our Orthodox community," said Becky Ruby Swansburg, of the Jewish Community of Louisville's executive committee. "... I think most council members want to see flourishing diversity of religion and religious practices in our community."
Anshei Sfard, which dates back about 125 years, has been in its current location for more than 50 years. Its leaders say selling the property is critical to its survival. They strongly opposed the landmark status, partly in fear it would scare away buyers, but the city landmark commission approved the designation in a 5-4 vote.
The new agreement offers a vital solution, Cox said. The synagogue's board voted to accept the Jewish Community of Louisville's proposal, at a lesser price than offers from other entities.
Not only does it allow the Orthodox congregation to move, it allows the Jewish Community of Louisville to honor the heritage of the property and people while also creating a more modern, inclusive space, organization leaders said.
"It's kind of remembering everything from my parents' and grandparents' past, but being able to direct that to what my kids and their kids are going to need in the future," Swansburg said. "That's why we really like keeping the property ... as part of this campus and in this family — because it has felt like a family."
The project, called JTomorrow!, includes a new Jewish Community Center and a potential campus redesign. The current Jewish Community Center facility borders the Anshei Sfard property, so the purchase would allow expansion to fit the group's growing needs and the needs of its 6,500 members.
The community center isn't large enough to meet demand, said Sara Wagner, president and CEO of the Jewish Community of Louisville. The preschool program, for example, is capped at 94 kids and has a wait list of 20 to 30 children.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/religion/2018/04/28/louisville-jewish-community-center-anshei-sfard-jtomorrow-landmark-deal/558941002/
The deal would allow the Anshei Sfard congregation — Kentucky's only Orthodox synagogue — to sell its property and relocate to a more appropriately sized space, while also enabling the Jewish Community of Louisville to create an expanded, state-of-the-art community center.
"If (Anshei Sfard is) forced to maintain that out-of-date building, with all the structural problems it has, they're going to go out of business. They have to right-size," said attorney Donald Cox, who represents the congregation. This deal, he said, will "provide the wherewithal to continue having an Orthodox synagogue in Kentucky."
The plan hinges on a joint effort to get the Louisville Metro Council to overturn the landmark designation a city agency last month bestowed on the property at 3700 Dutchmans Lane. The Jewish Community of Louisville will buy the property only if the restrictions are removed.
The groups are confident they can present a strong, persuasive message to Metro Council, given that the "entire Jewish community" is in agreement.
"This is something that could critically help or critically damage our Jewish community and our faith in Louisville — particularly our Orthodox community," said Becky Ruby Swansburg, of the Jewish Community of Louisville's executive committee. "... I think most council members want to see flourishing diversity of religion and religious practices in our community."
Anshei Sfard, which dates back about 125 years, has been in its current location for more than 50 years. Its leaders say selling the property is critical to its survival. They strongly opposed the landmark status, partly in fear it would scare away buyers, but the city landmark commission approved the designation in a 5-4 vote.
The new agreement offers a vital solution, Cox said. The synagogue's board voted to accept the Jewish Community of Louisville's proposal, at a lesser price than offers from other entities.
Not only does it allow the Orthodox congregation to move, it allows the Jewish Community of Louisville to honor the heritage of the property and people while also creating a more modern, inclusive space, organization leaders said.
"It's kind of remembering everything from my parents' and grandparents' past, but being able to direct that to what my kids and their kids are going to need in the future," Swansburg said. "That's why we really like keeping the property ... as part of this campus and in this family — because it has felt like a family."
The project, called JTomorrow!, includes a new Jewish Community Center and a potential campus redesign. The current Jewish Community Center facility borders the Anshei Sfard property, so the purchase would allow expansion to fit the group's growing needs and the needs of its 6,500 members.
The community center isn't large enough to meet demand, said Sara Wagner, president and CEO of the Jewish Community of Louisville. The preschool program, for example, is capped at 94 kids and has a wait list of 20 to 30 children.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/religion/2018/04/28/louisville-jewish-community-center-anshei-sfard-jtomorrow-landmark-deal/558941002/
Comments:
Post a Comment
