Groundbreaking Set for JCC Northeast Community Campus

The children of the JCC New Albany Preschool will give a presentation during the groundbreaking ceremony and will lead the Shehechyanu prayer for blessings over a new beginning.

"Ten years ago, there were only a couple dozen children enrolled at the JCC Preschool when it was located at Temple Beth Shalom in New Albany. Today, the program enrollment is 150 and growing, so now is the time to build a new facility," said Lisa Newmark, JCC Board Representative for the Northeast Community.

"There have been so many people along the way who have worked so hard so that we could come to this day. As we celebrate this new beginning, we do so by standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us," she said.

JCC President Jeff Meyer said the JCC's leadership also recognized the tremendous growth in the Jewish community of Northeast Columbus, and the resulting need for a new facility. "This segment of our community is vibrant, involved, and in need of programming and services located in their geographic area," he said. "The proposed new facility will meet the needs of this growing community, offering a large multipurpose facility, kitchen, gymnasium, additional classrooms, office space, conference room, library, and outreach office."

The new campus also will encompass the addition of an infant and toddler program, and after school educational programs and provide potential for teen programs and outreach initiatives; youth/adult basketball and fitness classes in the gymnasium; cultural activities including stage performances and small concerts; birthday parties and other life cycle events; gathering and community space for Northeast residents, and growth in the JCC's early childhood program in Northeast Columbus, he added.

JCC Executive Director Carol Folkerth said having the groundbreaking during the Jewish High Holy Days adds another dimension to the ceremony. "Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we take the time to think of new beginnings, commit to doing good deeds, and plan for the future," she said. "In a way, our children are a new beginning and carry with them our hopes for a bright future. This commemoration of the start of construction is just one symbol of the way we can build for their future."

The JCC Northeast Community Campus project is just one aspect of the Columbus Jewish Federation's strategic plan to "Grow Jewish Columbus," an ongoing effort to create a more vibrant and welcoming community. "Studies have indicated that Early Childhood experience has a profound effect on the Jewish life of the family," said Marsha Hurwitz, Federation President and CEO. "That is why we want to focus our efforts for the Capital Campaign on developing 'Best in Class' JCC Early Childhood Services in the Northeast, Northwest, and on the College Avenue campus."

Funds raised from the Capital Campaign - appropriately titled, "It Begins With The Children" - also will provide for a Best In Class Endowment and Program Fund that will: commit to provide "Best in Class" practices at all three JCC Early Childhood schools; develop effective recruitment and retention strategies to attract the highest caliber of teachers with Education and Early Childhood Education degrees; offer staff ongoing professional training and development opportunities; host an annual Early Childhood Education Summit/Seminar on Best Practices featuring leading educators and scholars from North America, and establish a partnership with The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College to participate and monitor early childhood research and serve as an on site training programs for future teachers.

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