- December 23, 2024
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Religious congregations are taking advantage of the slow months of the summer in order to renovate and improve their properties.
The Longboat Island Chapel and Temple Beth Israel both started renovations in June funded by dedicated congregants.
TBI's Executive Director Isaac Azerad and the Rev. Brock Patterson shared the progress and what renovation plans they have for members in the future.
After receiving $500,000 from the late Harold Ronson, Temple Beth Israel is currently in the process of renovating its entrance lobby and restrooms.
“This year's theme is renovation, which was prompted by a generous gift from our beloved Harold Ronson,” said Isaac Azerad, executive director of TBI. “We have been thinking about renovating for a while now. We had put together some aspirational goals that were not concrete in the sense that we did not have funding for them. When the gift came, we decided to proceed with certain items on our wishlist.”
With Ronson's gift, the lobby walls and ceilings were replastered and rewired for electrical and internet security. The construction crew just began to tile the floors in time for the custom doors to be installed.
The restrooms were completely torn down. Azerad said that the plumbing was replaced due to its 40 years of use. It will have all new fixtures, cabinets, mirrors and accessories.
As the renovations progressed this summer, Azerad said that they noticed parts of the building were out of date. Because of this, TBI is also renovating the roof and air conditioning funded by a campaign that raised $200,000.
Services have not been disturbed due to the safe path that they created through the building to the synagogue. The generosity of Ronson and the age of the building have inspired congregants to be open to the new changes and contribute to TBI’s goals of moving forward.
Renovations are scheduled to be finished by October before the season starts. Azerad said that the next step will be to raise enough money to renovate the social hall.
After 10 years of small renovations, the Longboat Island Chapel reached its final stage of interior changes. Through a campaign of $640,000, this summer’s project is to renovate the restrooms, staff offices, conference rooms and its small prayer chapel.
“The Chapel is a hub of activity on the island,” said the Rev. Brock Patterson. “We have so much social interaction with organizations. A lot of places use the chapel for events. We also have been growing immensely. So it is very important to make sure everything is top of the line and convenient for use.”
Patterson said they raised over 25% of their campaign for the renovations which is still in its early stages.
Instead of having the staff separated on two floors, all offices will be on the ground floor. For the restrooms, the crew plans to replace the plumbing which has been there since the chapel opened in 1956. Patterson also mentioned the small prayer chapel will be moving locations.
Besides having to use temporary restrooms, services have continued without interruption. The renovations are scheduled to be finished by December.
Once the chapel finishes its interior renovation project, it plans to remodel the whole exterior of its property. Since its garden is used for many events on the island, Patterson said that chapel members are ready to give it a makeover and make it a welcoming place that appeals to all Longboaters.
