Renovations 2011

September 2011

 

Design Team Merges TBE Past and Future                                                           

 

 

There are special moments when conservative Jewish leaders in Birmingham have come together to help build for the future. Temple Beth-El can look back at several of these defining moments--in 1907, when Congregation Beth-El emerged in the North Side of Birmingham, in 1926, when the current sanctuary was built, and more recently in 1993 when the Nathan and Rose Filler Cultural Center was constructed. Over the past several months a team of experienced architects, construction contractors, and synagogue leaders have met weekly to bridge the rich past of Temple Beth-El with the current needs of Jewish living. The results have been a "sparks flying," creative conversation about creating a beautiful expression of modern Jewish life.

 

Design Features

 

Holocaust Torah: On November 9th, 1988--the 50th anniversary of Kristallnacht- Temple Beth-El dedicated a special Czech Memorial Holocaust Torah Scroll. This torah was one of thousands of items of Judaica collected by Nazi Germany during World War II during their occupation of Bohemia and Moravia. After decades of storage in the unused Michle Synagogue of Prague, these torahs made their way to museums and synagogue world-wide, from Westminster Abby to Brandeis University...and through the work of Temple Beth-El congregants Fred and Marian Perel, a Holocaust Torah is today housed in a glass case in the rear vestibule of our sanctuary. As an effort to merge past and future, the Renovation Design Team has made the Torah the centerpiece of the main entryway leading to our chapel--acting as a reminder of both the suffering and endurance of the Shoah on display for our community every day.

 

Congregational Gathering Area: The Design Team has worked to create a contemporary Library/Lounge that can serve many purposes. With comfortable furnishings, roll-out work tables, and wireless internet throughout, they envision a room for quiet study, small chevruta/group study, special gatherings during life-cycle events, and schmoozing. Magazines, recommended Judaic texts, and Judaic art objects will be on display regularly.

 

Modern Office Workspaces: With an eye on efficiency and security, the offices will have up-to-date furnishings and equipment to help office staff track the myriad of financial, ritual life, and security needs of the synagogue. Entry into the building will be directly monitored and supervised by the office staff, and congregational needs can be immediately addressed at the entry foyer. Dedicated work-spaces will be available for volunteers, with separate offices created for the Rabbi, Executive Director, and Finance Coordinator. 

 

Scott Boomhover: Scott is both a registered architect and licensed interior designer, with over 17 years of professional experience. His experience covers a wide spectrum of architectural projects, specializing in high-end commercial, educational, institutional and healthcare. He has worked on projects large and small, including the design and construction of Innovation Depot in downtown Birmingham.

 

Danielle Weintraub:  Danielle has extensive experience as an architect, most notably working for many years with Cooper Carry of Atlanta on office buildings, as well as on The Davis Academy, a Jewish independent school in Atlanta. She received her Master’s in Architecture from Tulane University.  Today she is an active volunteer at Temple Beth-El and active mother of two children in the TBE Religious School.

 

Lori Dorsky:  Lori has been in the construction business for 27 years and involved in all types of construction—new commercial and residential spaces, as well as historical renovations. She is currently the co-owner of Day Star Construction Company, and she has been a member of Temple Beth El all of her life. She was in fact in a dance recital over 35 years ago on the stage in the old Auditorium--which was located in what is now becoming the Rabbi’s new office & Library/Lounge Area.

 

Julian Brook: Julian claims to have no formal background in design and construction…despite his extensive experience. He was involved in the 1972 major renovation of the Temple Beth-El facility, the expansion and renovation of the LJCC in 1995, and the construction of the Nathan and Rose Filler Cultural Center 1994. He is the current chair of the TBE House Committee.

 

Eric Goldis:  Eric has been a General Contractor for 14 years. He has a degree in Civil Engineer and a Master’s Degree in Business (Georgia Tech-03’). He is the Project Manager for Taylor-Miree, a company which has managed construction in the health care, business, and non-profit world throughout Birmingham. Eric also is a very involved temple member and leader within the TBE Men’s Club.

 

With a commitment to merge the past with the future, the Renovation Design Team has shepherded this project over the past few months, and the work will be nearing completion in the coming weeks.

July 2011

Some of the main goals are to create a welcoming entryway and have more efficient administrative space, in addition to some improved display areas.  Our architect, Scott Boomhover, of Architectural Studio, has worked diligently on creating the proper space for our needs, based on original input from our fellow congregant and board member Danielle Weintraub, who is also a trained architect.  Construction has begun with our contractor, Taylor & Miree Construction.

 

If you would like to support this initiative, please contact Jimmy Krell, Campaign Chair, at jkrellmd@gmail.com or Bob Greenberg, Executive Director, at bgreenberg@templebeth-el.net or 933-2740.

 

A special thanks to Julian Brook, who chairs the House Committee, for his tireless efforts. 

 

We hope you will be as excited as we are with these new changes.

Please refer back to this page for updates.

Spring 2011

Due to a burst water pipe, Temple Beth-El recently sustained substantial water damage to the Chapel, administrative area, library, hallways, and upper floor. 

In order for these damages to be repaired, our administrative office has relocated to the downstairs resource room.

For your safety, the 21st Way South entrance is no longer accessible. Please enter the building through the lower-level double doors.

During this time, Minyan and Shabbat services will meet in the Sanctuary.

 

Click below to view the sketch of the renovation:

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