As our President, Norm Weiss, mentioned in his Yom Kippur speech, our temple renovation project is underway.  The committee co-chaired by Stan Arouty, VP of Facilities and myself, Sandy Livney, has already begun putting together a “needs” list, soliciting bids to get the work done, and raising the necessary funds.  The exterior doors have been refinished and the beauty of the inlay of the menorah in the doors can now be appreciated.  We also created a handicap friendly ramp on the exterior entrance to the building.  . 

The primary focus of the renovation will be the interior of the building, with particular attention to the social hall, which is badly in need of a face lift. For those of you who have ever done home remodeling, you know how costly this can be.  To pay for these renovations, there will be several fundraisers throughout the year geared specifically to the renovation.  The goal is to raise enough funds by the end of May and have the renovations completed over the summertime when usage of the facilities is reduced.  Our hope is that at least one of these fundraisers will entice you to support us financially.

Our first fundraiser will be something new for us.  We’re asking you, and anyone you know, to donate items to CJCN that we can sell on Ebay.  As you well may know, that includes almost everything.  We have contracted with a company who will do all of the handling, processing and selling for a nominal fee.  All you have to do is donate items, preferably new but not necessarily, that have an estimated eBay sale price of at least $35.00, are legal to sell on eBay, and weigh less than 150 pounds.  The items may be dropped off at CJCN in the Bride’s Room – all you have to do is send me an email with a reasonable description of the items and let me know that you have left them there.  Otherwise, arrangements can be made to have the items picked up at your home. If known, please note the estimated value of each item.  Donation of items from non CJCN members are also welcome and encouraged - so be sure to ask your family, friends, co-workers, etc. if they would also like to donate to our renovation project.  If you desire an acknowledgement letter of the donation for tax purposes, be sure that we know the donor’s name along with their address, especially for non-CJCN members.

Of course, if you would like to make a cash donation at this time to the Renovation Project, a special fund has been set up by the Temple Treasurer.  Your donation will be greatly appreciated. 

If you are a craftsman and would like to lend a helping hand, hammer, etc. to our face lift project, please let me know.  This will not only help reduce our costs, it will allow us to get many other needed areas repaired.  And likewise, if you own or work for a company that can donate materials for our project please contact me as well. 

Working together for this mutually satisfying goal, we can once again have a beautiful building to share and enjoy our simchas for many years to come!