September 10th Update

This is a report by the "Our". 

Our roof repairs and replacements will be completed, weather permitting, within the next ten (10) days.

Our contractor, LCI Construction of South Florida, Inc. will begin the demolition work and cleaning out the classrooms in preparation for the commencement of construction.

Our architects, tercilla courtemanche architects, inc., are preparing plans for the sanctuary and for replacing and upgrading our air conditioning systems throughout the Temple as we speak.  Bids will be obtained during the next few weeks and the sanctuary and air conditioning will be under construction shortly thereafter.

Our architects are also preparing color renderings of the Sanctuary which will be ready for viewing soon.

Our fund raising committee has begun to raise additional funds for the project and is delighted to report the enthusiastic response it is receiving from our congregation.

Our congregation is on the way towards returning home to 1901 North Flagler Drive.

Best regards,

Michael Jonas, Chairman

August Update

The roofers have begun work at our Flagler Drive home and repairs and replacements are underway. Our architects, Tercilla & Courtemanche Architects, met with our Interior Design Committee and are working on finalizing plans for the sanctuary.

Linda Solomon is in the process of obtaining bids from various pew and seating manufacturers for seating in the sanctuary. We are working with our architects, our contractor, LCI Construction of South Florida, Inc., and our contractor’s air conditioning sub-contractors to obtain bids for replacement of the HVAC throughout our Temple buildings.

Jim Eisenberg met with the construction fund raising committee and is looking forward to our congregation’s participation in this project. More and more of our congregants are becoming part of the team working towards rebuilding our Temple and returning to 1901 North Flagler
Drive. Join the effort and we will all enjoy the results!

Best regards,
Michael Jonas

REBUILDING AND RETURN PROJECT UPDATE - July 2009

At the end of June, the 1901 Committee, the Construction Committee and the Interior Design Committee met with our architect and engineers in the sanctuary to review a prototype of a lower bimah that will be part of and modify the existing bimah. The prototype gave us a visual understanding of its space and functionality. Working with our architect, we have refined the plan. The lower bimah will accomplish several important goals. It will allow for a more intimate interaction with the clergy as well as providing easier access for those in our congregation who have difficulty negotiating the steps
to our present bimah.

After several meetings, we are very pleased to report that we have entered into an agreement with LCI Construction of South Florida, Inc. as our contractor and we will begin construction in the near future. Construction will be performed in phases, with the initial construction pertaining to the replacement and repair of the roof. We reviewed several bids and our contractor obtained a very competitive price for this work.

We have applied for a permit from the City of West Palm Beach to commence the roof repairs and this work will begin shortly. Completion of the roof work is anticipated to occur on or before the middle of September and the next phase – the sanctuary – will begin after completion of the roof.

This is “one small step” for our Rebuilding and “one giant leap” for our Returning to 1901 N. Flagler Drive.

So let it be known: Temple Israel is going forward.

Best regards,
Michael Jonas, Chairman

REBUILDING AND RETURN PROJECT UPDATE - June 12, 2009

 Thank you to those of you who took the time to send in suggestions for a new name for our renovation project.  Our Board considered all the entries and has voted to continue using “REBUILDING AND RETURN PROJECT.”

 We are making substantial progress and are preparing to commence repairs to the roof.  We are engaged in regular meetings with construction, engineering and architectural specialists.  Marty List, as Chairman of the Construction Committee, is not only meeting with the specialists, but is also meeting with various committee members for their input.  At the end of this month, Marty and I will meet with our specialists and our design committee to review plans for revitalizing the Sanctuary and other elements of the Temple.  We are excited by the enthusiasm of our committee and note that Jim Eisenberg, the Chairman of fund raising, believes, as we all do, that we can realistically achieve our goals.  We look forward to working with all of our congregants to ensure our congregation's return to our Temple soon and our congregation's continued vitality in the future. 

 Michael Jonas, Chairman