Dear IADS community,

As we celebrate our centennial year, we’re excited to announce that construction will begin on our transformational building renovation project in June! The Downtown Synagogue will become a more welcoming and accessible space as we trade our ground-floor brick walls for floor-to-ceiling (ballistic grade) glass windows and install a new ADA compliant elevator. We’re upgrading our Sanctuary, social hall, and kitchen, dedicating a space for children, and building plenty of flexible program and event space. We’re also creating a Jewish co-working space where partner organizations can collaborate, share resources, and build community under one roof. This comprehensive renovation will center IADS as the hub for Jewish life in the city and ensure that we can serve the needs of our community for the next 100 years.

Thanks to generous support from our members, foundations, and the greater metro Detroit Jewish community, our Capital Campaign has raised nearly $5 million. Due to increases in construction costs, we’ve made some changes to our original plan. At this time, we are not able to complete the roof deck, however, the elevator and stairs will be in place to ensure an easy build-out when the funds are available. We are still facing a gap, and we have a plan to raise the additional money we need to make this dream a reality.

Many in our community have not yet had the chance to invest in the Downtown Synagogue’s future with a gift toward the Capital Campaign. One exciting way for you to leave a permanent mark on the building is to name one of our iconic stained-glass windows. A gift of $2,000 a year for five years will allow your family’s name to be associated with a window. We encourage you to be part of building our vibrant future.

Lastly, save the date! The Downtown Synagogue will host a block party on Griswold Street on Sunday, August 14. This will be a time to celebrate this special moment - our centennial year and our groundbreaking ceremony - together.

Please contact Rachel Rudman, Executive Director, at 313-962-4047 or execdirector@downtownsynagogue.org with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

L’Shalom,

Rachel Rudman, Executive Director

Samantha Woll, Board President