
Q: What do you get when you have 11 meetings with 65 people over the course of 2 days with 2 incredible architects?

A: A plan to renew and reinvigorate our Beth El building!
You know that we have been raising money to renew and reinvigorate our Beth El building. But did you know that the Building Project Committee has been meeting with volunteers and staff for the last month to capture critical programming information to help design the facility that will be our home for generations to come?
Q: We have heard about this project for years. When will construction start?
A: NOW! The process is currently underway! Three groups are hard at work.
An aggressive timeline has been developed by our architectural firm, Miller Dunwiddie. Working in collaboration with our Building Project Committee* – Chaired by Ruth Usem, and our Construction Committee** – chaired by Mike Blehert, the coming weeks will bring the review of architectural drawings, and the selection of a general contractor.
Q: When will we break ground?
A: Summer 2010!
Q: What can we expect in our new building?
A: We will…
- SERVE the next generation of Aleph School parents with updated classrooms, a unified school on one floor, a new school entrance, and renovated bathrooms.
- ACCOMMODATE the multitude of social activities with accessible social spaces that allow us to operate multiple events and programs simultaneously.
- TRANSFORM our library into a multi-media center that supports lifelong interactive learning with room to house our outstanding collections.
- CONSERVE energy and be “up-to-code” with updated existing utilities and new fire and security systems.
- WARMLY WELCOME all who come to Beth El through entrances and hallways that are inviting and easy to navigate. New elevator and accessibility to all!
Q: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
A: Help us complete the campaign and achieve our goals! If you have not yet made a pledge (payable over 5 years), please contact Linda Goldberg at 952-920-3512, ext. 108. Every gift COUNTS!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
TOGETHER, WE ARE BUILDING EXCITEMENT!
*Building Project Committee
Ruth Usem (Chair), Rabbi Alexander Davis, Amy Rotenberg, Anne Hope, Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Art Glassman, Cantor Audrey Abrams, Bonnie Heller, Barbara Parks, Daniel Spiegel, Donna Leviton, Gail Jordani, Gil Mann, Kathy Rendleman, Karen Brodsky, Linda Goldberg, Mary Baumgarten, Mike Blehert, Marilyn Weisberg, Peggy Kerska, Penny Glassman, Ron Ungerman, Sally Forbes Friedman
**Construction Committee
Mike Blehert (Chair), Mark Gittleman, Ron Ungerman, Allen Bernard, Daniel Spiegel, Richard Ozer, Craig Kupritz, Gary Goldish, Ruth Usem
Stay tuned for more Building Excitement ahead. To get the most up-to-date information, check the Beth El website and sign up for Beth El’s Kesher email updates.

After much detailed study and extensive planning, I am delighted to inform you about important changes at our award-winning Aleph School. Beginning this fall, our pre-school program will be redesigned to more effectively accommodate the needs of working parent families. In addition, in response to parental requests, starting in September, the Aleph School will be offering the Twin Cities first 