By Andrew Coen
The JCC has signed an agreement with Temple Israel of Lawrence, at 140 Central Ave., to build a two-story facility on the east side of the synagogue. According to Temple Israel President Garrett Gray, the deal is an option agreement that gives the JCC five years to raise roughly $5 million needed to construct the new facility. Gray said discussions with the JCC about buying the property began about two years ago, after the not-for-profit agency began operating an early-childhood center and summer camp at the Reform temple. "[The agreement with the JCC] allows us to run programs together," said Gray. "It is an absolute win-win for everybody."
The JCC currently operates out of an antiquated building on Grove Avenue in Cedarhurst that, according to JCC officials, is too small to offer the kind of programs they would like to. According to the agreement, the JCC would purchase and raze a single-floor building on the Temple Israel property, making room for a two-story facility. The new building would include recreational space, such as a pool and gymnasium, as well as classrooms and an art studio, according to Gray. Temple Israel also owns two houses adjacent to the synagogue on Fulton Avenue, which Gray said the JCC would also purchase to create a parking lot.
The JCC has held several fund-raisers over the last few years in an effort to relocate. The organization was one of more than 20 bidders that offered to purchase the former Number One School property in Lawrence. But the Lawrence school board selected Neuberg Development LLC, which plans to build condominiums on the site.
Gray said that if the JCC is unable to raise $5 million within five years, the deal would be voided.
Dan Herron, Lawrence's building inspector and deputy village administrator, said that officials from the JCC have been in contact with him, requesting a survey of the Temple Israel property, but no applications have been filed. Herron said he was unsure whether the JCC would need any zoning approval for the project.
According to Gray, the Reform temple has faced financial challenges in recent years with the changing demographics in the Five Towns, and he hopes that if the JCC deal goes through, it could be a big lift for the synagogue. "This will allow us to thrive and be the deep bastion of reform Judaism on the island," Gray said.
If the JCC moves into Temple Israel, which has existed in Lawrence since the early 1930s, it will join other outside agencies in utilizing the synagogue. Two years ago the JCC Early Childhood Center began operating at Temple Israel, in addition to running a summer camp. An all-girls yeshiva called the Gamla High School for girls moved into Temple Israel in September 2003, and the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys also once made a home there.
"We have a wonderful relationship with the JCC," said Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence. "We hope to build on that partnership."
In addition to the JCC's efforts to build a state-of-the-art facility for Jewish people of all denominations in the area, an Orthodox group called the Five Towns Community Complex has also expressed interest in building a similar center. According to Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside), the Five Towns Community Complex has contacted his office about purchasing an 11-acre parcel behind the Costco Wholesale store in Inwood for use as a community center for the Orthodox community. Toback said the site was used as a sewage pumping station and that the county has received 11 proposals, but has yet to make any decisions on the property.
JCC officials declined to comment on plans to move into Temple Israel.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
