THE BUILDING TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
TO REALIZE OUR VISION FOR BARNERT'S FUTURE AND
TRANSFORM OUR SPACE TO MEET OUR EVOLVING NEEDS.
Our Temple building must be a place where each person truly belongs. We are undertaking a physical transformation that will encourage interactivity, participatory prayer, and gathering as a community - both formally and informally, digitally and in person.
- Rabbi Rachel Steiner
MORE THAN A RENOVATION PROJECT
Barnert Temple is the future of Reform Jewish life in our geographic area. Throughout our history, Barnert has always adapted to meet the evolving needs of our sacred Jewish community while remaining firmly rooted in our Jewish tradition.
As we celebrate Barnert's 175th anniversary and 35 years in our Franklin Lakes building, it is time to once again reimagine our future.
We are building together for our community's future. Our spiritual space must now align with our values and invite new ways to pray, to gather, to learn, and to live Jewishly at Barnert. The improvements funded by the Building Together campaign will help the Campaign realize its goal to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and connectivity in our Temple building and make Barnert a more inviting, beautiful, and inspiring place to gather and celebrate for many years into the future.
- A brighter, redesigned sanctuary with new seating that improves sightlines and encourages interaction.
- An accessible bimah enabling people of all physical abilities to participate fully in worship.
- A brighter and reconfigured lobby with a variety of spaces to gather and visit.
- Increased security throughout the Temple building.
- Renovated restrooms and a new gender-neutral/family bathroom.
- A new youth lounge for our teen community that will be named in memory of Devra Freelander (z"l), daughter of Rabbi Emerita Elyse Frishman and Rabbi Daniel Freelander.
- A library transformed into a Living Archive that honors Barnert's 175-year history.
- Updates to HVAC and mechanicals, and new carpeting and painting throughout the renovated space.
- A space named after Sara Losch to honor her 33-year legacy at Barnert.
(Click Photos to Enlarge)
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE BUILDING TOGETHER CAMPAIGN
We are now at a pivotal moment in Barnert's history. Just as past generations have ensured Barnert's growth, we ask every member of our multi-generational community to meaningfully support the Building Together campaign. It's up to us to help Barnert grow and continue to be the leader of Reform Jewish life in our area.
- Various levels of support and naming opportunities
- Special recognition for donors
- One-time donations via check, ACH, or credit card, payment plans, and multi-year payment plans (for larger donations)
- Appreciated stock transfers, securities, and transferred retirement savings welcome as well
Please add your support to this critical campaign.
Click below for details.
JOIN THE BUILDING TOGETHER CAMPAIGN
Donations can be paid in full or paid in installments.
All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations (Tax ID 22-1589196)
Learn About Donor Recognition Levels & Naming Opportunities
If you need assistance or want to make arrangements not available via our online forms, please contact Barbara Starr via email or phone at (201) 848-1800.
UPLIFT THE MEMORY OF DEVRA FREELANDER (1990 - 2019)
Join us in Honoring Devra's Memory and Legacy Through Our Capital Campaign
We continue to find ways to honor and lift up the memory of Devra Freelander (z”l), daughter of Rabbi Elyse Frishman, Barnert's Rabbi Emerita, and Rabbi Danny Freelander. Devra's family has chosen the BarTY lounge as the space to memorialize her name and memory.
BarTY (Barnert Temple’s High School Youth Group) will have a new, dedicated space, accessible from the new lobby, for its activities. The Frishman/Freelander family has chosen this space to carry the name of Devra Freelander, as BarTY was a sacred home base for Devra.
We invite you to make a $5,000 contribution (payable over four years) in memory of Devra Freelander. While smaller amounts are welcome, those who donate $5,000 or more in Devra's memory will have their names added to the donor plaque that will reside in the new BarTY lounge.
Simply check the appropriate box on the online donation or pledge form to add your support. We look forward to welcoming you to our Building Together campaign in this very special way.
Sara Losch dedicated 33 impactful years to Barnert Temple as the Director of Lifelong Learning. During her tenure, Sara created and led the education of our preschool and kindergarten-aged children, Jewish Journey Project youth, and our community members of all ages, who continue to learn as Reform Jewish adults.
As many of you know, the end of the 2022 school year marked the end of Sara Losch's 33 transformative years at Barnert Temple. Many of our members have asked “What can we do to honor Sara?” This is it!
The Building Together campaign is proud to announce a special opportunity in honor of Sara Losch to name the gathering space in the Atrium of the Preschool wing for Sara. This space is so special as it is where Sara led “Shabbat parties” on Fridays and greeted all of us so warmly. We are honored to commemorate her commitment to Barnert in this space.
We invite you make a $2,500 contribution (payable over four years) in honor of Sara. While smaller amounts are welcome, those who donate $2,500 or more in her honor will have their names added to the space.
Simply check the appropriate box on the online donation or pledge form to add your support. We look forward to welcoming you to our Building Together Campaign in this very special way.
BUILDING TOGETHER CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP
Honorary Co-Chairs
Lisa Silvershein
Gail White
Campaign Co-Chairs
Lauren Krauss
Alan Lieber
Steering Committee
Andrew Charles
Marian Filan
Stacey Rappaport
Arnold Reiter
Sherie Reiter
Elizabeth Levitt Resnick, Immediate Past President
Cipora O. Schwartz
Peter von Halle
Felice Yeshion
Leadership Team
Rabbi Rachel Steiner
Craig Solomon, President
