Thanks for opening the doors, we won’t let you down

Dear Boiling Point Editorial Board,

My son was part of the Ikar Tuesday Hebrew classes at Ikar in 5775. (He was Bar Mizvah 2 Adar 5775). When we arrived for the new year and saw how the JCC was packed as never before–with the JCC itself, all the people who use the JCC on a regular and irregular basis, Ikar’s Hebrew classes, and, now Shalhevet–we were quite surprised.

Acclimating to the scene, I noted with joy how effectively everyone negotiated the scene. I was touched to see the auditoruim where I daven on Shabbat was filled with a new chorus of prayers, and inspired to see Shalhevet students and teachers earnestly talking about matters both academic and personal.

While Ikar called the JCC home for many years, Ikar, like Shalhevet, was a tenant at the facility. Some members of Ikar disliked the building. Personally, I enjoyed gathering at a place so embedded in the traditions of American Jewry. JCC’s have been a part of the Jewish landscape of the US for generations–it felt good to be part of that in the 2010s.

It’s easy to see how, for Shalhevet students, staff, and faculty, the time spent at the JCC was burdensome. Stuffy, ill-equipped, and inconvenient. Overfull, shoddy, and hectic. A place where Shalhevet activities were sometimes relegated to secondary spaces or completely impossible! I thank you for the wonderful comportment I witnessed among Shalhevet students when I was at the JCC during school hours, despite the many annoyances. 

My family and I were astonished to hear that Ikar was moving its community gatherings to Shalhevet. Ikar includes more than 500 families, and we had only two weeks notice that our High Holy Days would be spent in an unfamiliar space. Like the Shalhevet students, we Ikar members had to adjust quicky to a new normal. Visiting family had to be redirected, and a Bat Mitzvah had to be adjusted with only a week’s notice!

During Shabbat 14 Elul we walked from the JCC to Shalhevet with our Sefer Torah. About 100 people walked into the new Shalhevet building, unsure how we could “fit in” to this space. We had observed hundreds of holidays and thousands of brachot at the JCC. Many of our childern were named there and had B’nai Mitzvot there. We had said Mourner’s Kaddish for many loved ones at the Westside JCC.

Immediately Shalhevet was a welcoming place. We have found our way into prayer at Shalhevet, and are able to worship with a much greater sense of security than we did at the JCC. The building is comfortable and well appointed.

I and many of our members have been concerned about the impact our use of the space would have on the “new” feeling of the building. We have many young children and toddlers in our number, and they inevitably smudge and scratch things.

Reading the “Sharing the building, but not the decision” editorial reinforced my concern that Ikar share the Shalvehet space mindfully and with gratitude. I am sure that the new Shalhevet building represents a major accomplishment for the school, and, as much as possible, hope that Ikar’s use of your building can bring some positive results for Shalhevet as it does for us.

I am writing this to let the Editorial Board know that, in addition to the inconvenience, mess, and unexpected kashering Ikar has brought, we will do our best to warm the space with the lifecycle events and holidays we observe at Shalhevet. Personally, I am very thankful to the students and staff who are willing to share their space. Perhaps this is a relationship of financial convenience. If that is the case may the money exchanged bring great opportunities to Shalhevet.,  exceeding the impact of our presence.

Best,

John Crooks