Opening the Gates is our campaign to transform Temple Shalom’s physical space to reflect the Jewish values of our congregation, ensuring that Temple Shalom is accessible and welcoming to everyone. By engaging all congregants, we will achieve our shared vision and values.
The Opening the Gates Brochure
Our new space will meet our needs today and be adaptable for the future, ensuring space for community, accessibility, and inclusiveness:
- an accessible and welcoming lobby and entryway
- an elevator to connect the upper and lower levels
- a new, wide staircase near the entryway, and improved circular staircase by the sanctuary
- a refreshed, multi-purpose social hall for large-scale gatherings
- collaborative workspace for our clergy and professional team
- new classrooms and a refreshed education wing
- upgraded bathrooms that meet our variety of needs
Conceptual Renderings – Updated 11.2.2025
Watch Video – A Walk Through Our New Space
Our new space will strengthen our community by enabling people with diverse needs and abilities to easily access and navigate it – whether attending a service, a simcha (celebration), a class, a community event, or simply visiting.
REQUEST A MEETING WITH THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
As Rabbi Rachel Ackerman has said, “We are already a community that values inclusivity, belonging, accessibility, and love, and now we need our space to support those values.”
The name “Opening the Gates” comes from Rabbi Ackerman’s telling of a Talmudic story:
Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria removed the gatekeeper from the Beit Midrash (study hall) and opened the doors for all who wished to enter. Hundreds of new students poured in, filling the room – everyone eager to learn from the rabbis and the Torah. –Talmud Bavli, Masechet Brachot 28a
In Cantor Ze’evi Tovlev’s words: “This project is a physical manifestation of the values at the heart of our congregation. We want our space to feel as welcoming as our community members are.”
With the help of Brawer Hauptman + Larkin Architects, below are a few renderings that imagine the future we will build together
New welcoming entrance to our improved lobby, showing the main, central stairs and elevator.
New multi-purpose lobby, creating organic community space and room for onegs, cocktail hours, buffets, and so much more in our new “family room.”
Our refreshed and spacious social hall with natural light, removed stage, new entrance, and new possibilities.
Finally, our much-needed elevator and wide new central staircase bring our building together as one with a new religious school lobby and seating area.
Opening the Gates is a three-year transformative campaign that aims to raise $7 million to ensure that our welcoming and inclusive community finally has a building that embodies its values – one where all are welcomed with no gate blocking their entry.
We call on every member of the Temple Shalom community to support our shared vision - in a way that reflects what Temple Shalom means to you, and at a level that will instill pride in each of us individually and collectively.
Every gift is essential to building our shared future together.
We will achieve our goal when everyone in our community has participated at a meaningful, stretch level – whatever that means for each of us.
Our three-year campaign is typically receiving five-year pledges that have allowed donors to truly stretch to get us already halfway to our goal.
Popular ways to participate include:
- For those age 70½, a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA may be excluded from taxable income.
- Transfer of appreciated shares to take both a tax deduction and avoid capital gains.
- A multi-year pledge with payment timing structured to work for you.
- A one-time gift in a wide range of amounts.
REQUEST A MEETING WITH THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Every gift is essential to building our shared future together.
Questions? Email the Committee at ten.molahselpmet@gnidliuBST
Opening the Gates is being led by two related committees and our professional team
Co-Chairs: Mike Rubin and Debbie Szyfer
Architectural Committee: Mike Gurevich, Scott Kravetz, Jason Kromirs, Marilyn Ripin, Carl Tretter, Gordie Shaw
Campaign Committee: Matthew Breman, Rachel Cintron, Sherry Doggett, Leo Frankel, Rita Klein, Karen Lowe, Theresa Helfman Taylor, Susan Goutos Zemsky
Professional Leadership: Rabbi Rachel Ackerman, Cantor Ze’evi Tovlev, Rabbi Josh Gischner, Executive Director Andrew Maayan
Architects: Brawer Hauptman + Larkin Architects
Philanthropic Consultants: Heller Fundraising Group
Questions: ten.molahselpmet@gnidliuBST