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building our future Bonnie & Donald Dwares Jewish Community Center
Today’s Jewish Alliance serves to enrich the quality of life for Jews in Rhode Island, in Israel, and around the world. The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island meets this goal through philanthropy, planning, education and wellness opportunities, community relations, and volunteer recruitment and training. The Alliance convenes agencies, synagogues, and organizations to address issues of common concern. Together, we transform Jewish tradition and values into action. Whether caring for people in need or nurturing and sustaining Jewish identity for future generations, this is where our community comes together as one; where we, as a community, develop innovative responses to critical, often lifethreatening issues; where anyone who needs help can get it; where an energized Jewish community grows and celebrates; and where everyone, including you, can make a difference right now.
Milton Stanzler: image courtesy of Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
For 90 years, the Jewish Community Center has been the cornerstone of Jewish life in greater Rhode Island. It is the place where Jewish culture thrives, families come together, and the future is shaped. Today, needs are changing in Rhode Island—and the Jewish Alliance’s Dwares JCC must grow and change with it. To continue serving the Jewish community well into the future, our programming must reflect today’s world…
And the Dwares JCC building must be modernized to accommodate our community members. Now is the time to renew the vision of our founders…the gift of community, and to revitalize the Dwares JCC building for future generations.
REVITALIZE “As children we played basketball in the gym and came to the JCC for after school activities. It was our home away from home. My Jewish identity is intertwined with my memories of the Jewish Community Center and how happy I felt there.” —Mel Alperin
Our families, together The Bonnie & Donald Dwares Jewish Community Center is the place where families learn, play, and celebrate together to make lifelong connections. We serve the community with programs that reflect the mosaic of today’s Jewish life and experiences.
“Our children began swimming at age 3 in the Early Childhood Center and have progressed to competitive swimmers on the TigerSharks Swim Team. They work hard but also have the opportunity to spend time with their friends. The JCC is a place where our children feel safe, comfortable, and at home.” —Marisa Garber
Changing for the ages Our children benefit from the care and nurturing they receive at the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center; through PJ Library, an award-winning Jewish literacy and outreach program; and Summer J-Camp, a safe, educational, and fun experience where lasting friendships are forged. As pre-teens and teens, they continue with afterschool programming and stay at the Dwares JCC for sports, fitness, and teen adventures. In sharing these opportunities, they strengthen their bonds to each other and Rhode Island’s Jewish community. Young adults find social, educational, and volunteer opportunities through (401)j— an innovative collaboration between the Jewish Alliance, Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Beth-El, and Temple Emanu-El. Adult programming serves our community members of all ages, including activities for seniors such as the Senior Café, Fit Forever, and holiday programs. The Jewish Alliance’s Dwares JCC building houses top-notch arts and cultural programming including literary events, film screenings, and exhibits at gallery (401) for the enjoyment of the greater Rhode Island Jewish community.
STRENGTHEN
Taking shape for the future
The Jewish Alliance’s Dwares JCC, with its rich Jewish culture and educational programming, will extend an extraordinary sense of welcome, accessibility, and security to its members. The newly designed Sandy & Richard Bornstein Atrium and Salmanson Family Lobby will be the gateways to vast resources and to making lifelong friendships along the way. The renovated Victor & Gussie Baxt Social Hall will bring together family and friends for learning, celebrations, and commemorations that inspire passion for our heritage.
Health, wellness, and overall wellbeing are important to the people of any community. The Alliance’s Dwares JCC has always been health-oriented and our pool, gymnasium, and exercise areas are very popular.... Brimming with new energy and vitality. The upgraded facility will encourage new growth in membership and use of J-Fitness. The impact of the Dwares JCC building reaches far beyond its bricks and mortar. Our enhanced facility will build upon its reputation and its founding faith to create an ambience that inspires Jewish journeys and strengthens Jewish identities. It will offer new ways to support our mission and to promote pride in ourselves and our endeavors.
Together we build Here’s what we have planned for the Jewish Alliance’s new Dwares JCC: • New façade on Elmgrove Avenue • New Atrium with beautiful skylights (gift from the Bornstein Family) • Renovated hotel-style upper lobby with reception desk and sitting area (gift from the Salmanson Family) • Brand new lower level lobby with reception desk and sitting area that connect to the Early Childhood Center and J-Fitness • Renovated Social Hall that will provide the community with a gathering place for events and celebrations (gift from the Baxt Family) • Expanded Early Childhood Center with enhanced classrooms (lead gift from the Isenberg Family) • Renovated state of the art swimming pool • New updated kitchen • • • •
Renovated floor and bleachers in the gymnasium Renovated locker rooms Updated Health Clubs with new showers, steam room, and sauna Handicap-accessible, stroller-friendly, and secure entrances and elevators (grant from The Champlin Foundations) • New landscaping and external signage • Renovated Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island • Renovated Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
Sustainability for future generations Many of the products and supplies used during our renovation will be sourced from renewable and pre- and post-consumer recycled materials, and will meet LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).
Our plan depends on you We need your help to turn our vision into reality. The Jewish Alliance’s Dwares JCC is the very heart of the community. It keeps us together, forges our bonds, and helps us grow. Just think of the infinite possibilities it will offer throughout the years to come. Together, we will ensure that the Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC remains vibrant and energized by having the finest in both programs and facilities. We will attract young families who will connect here to share their Jewish journeys, and engage them for a lifetime. We will continue to develop and grow a Jewish community center where our Jewish culture lives and thrives. Together, we will give the gift of community.
ENERGIZE “I look forward to the public seeing exactly what the JCC will look like in the future. It will knock their socks off and, needless to say, add a wonderful sense of pride to the entire Jewish community.” —Donald Dwares
The cornerstone of Jewish community The center of Jewish life Be part of this meaningful and historic endeavor, contact Trine Lustig at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or tlustig@jewishallianceri.org
401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org