NSS Beth El Renovation FAQ’s

Our Renovation Project:

Our renovation project was funded by the Mitzvah 613 Fundraiser as well as other generous donors to improve the school wing of the building as well as increase the security for the school and overall building. This includes creating a new primary building entrance. Students and visitors will be buzzed into the building in this new, primary space and will either be buzzed again into the school or into the synagogue administrative offices, depending on where they want to go. Renovations in the school wing include new flooring, ceilings and paint in classrooms, modernizing school offices, new furnishings in the classrooms (dry erase boards, furniture, etc.) and improved security aspects (new cameras, doors that close and lock automatically in an emergency, and more).

What will be new when the project is completed?

A combined, single entrance to the building’s offices and school. Located near the current office entrance, this will be the new security station for our guards to buzz people in.

A landscaped courtyard.

A single, larger education office where all educational staff will be located.

For the school wing: new lights, ceiling tiles, paint, flooring, furniture, fixtures, updates to the existing bathrooms (in classrooms), new bathrooms (one ADA-fitted on the 2nd floor and one on the first floor).

For the school wing: fully renovated kitchen (new appliances, cabinets, flooring, etc.)

For the mansion: new roof and windows.

For the administration area: new tiling in the main corridors.

What is the draft timeline?

(This draft is subject to change).

Early April: Construction begins on the new main entrance. Congregants transition to using the sanctuary entrance to enter the building. Preschool families will use the north side entrance (to the left of the school). Cohen Religious School families will use the north side entrance on Sundays, and the Sanctuary entrance on weekdays.

Early June: Completion of first phase of school wing construction.

Early August: Completion of mansion phase of construction. We hope to open the Cohen Religious School and Steinberg Pre-School with all construction complete.

Early November: Completion of new main entrance.

Why is Beth El undertaking this construction project?

It’s time for our Cohen Religious School and Steinberg Pre-School to have a 21st century update and upgrade. We are committed to providing the highest level of security for our congregation, and we were advised that the safest measure we can take is to utilize one primary building entrance.

How will this project enhance our schools?

Our updated environment will be conducive to learning, following principles of Reggio Emilia in our layout with updated lighting and flooring and repaired walls, renovated and upgraded school kitchen, and infrastructure important to facilitating inclusivity both upstairs and downstairs in our school wings. In the new facility, security features will be enhanced and the new lobby space will provide a secure entrance to our schools and our building.

What will happen to classes and events during construction?

We have in place a robust displacement plan. Classes will be out of their regular classroom for no more than one week, and they will be elsewhere in the building for that time. We will do all we can to minimize the inconvenience.

Where do the funds come from?

We thank our many generous members who donated to our Mitzvah 613 campaign to write a new Torah scroll. The additional dollars raised fund this project.

When will everything be completed?

The work in the schools will be completed by the start of the next school year; work on the first floor of the school will be finished before camp starts. The new main entrance will be completed by mid-November.