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Click Here to see Building Our Future - Volume 1, Issue 2

Green Light from the Portsmouth Planning Board; Groundbreaking in March

Historic District Commission & Technical Advisory Committee Approve TI’s Renovation Project

Temple Israel is making news!

After ten years, numerous congregational meetings, countless volunteer hours, multiple design revisions, and millions of donated dollars, Temple Israel’s renovation is becoming a reality.

On November 1st, the Portsmouth Historic District Commission (HDC) approved the design plans for exterior brick improvements and new entrance. Next, we received the city’s Technical Advisory Committee endorsement and on November 16, entire project was approved by the Portsmouth Planning Board.

In the next 45 days, interior plans will be fine-tuned while the mechanical, electrical and structural engineering plans are developed. By the end of the year, inventorying will be completed and packing and moving will begin. Relocation bulletins will be issued with regards to events, religious school, services, and more.

Volunteers are in short supply for this aggressive endeavor. Add your name to the volunteer sheets coming soon to the Temple Bulletin Boards. Check frequently for new opportunities that fit your schedule.

Reality Check: $500,000 Gap to Close

The Temple Board of Directors has approved the plan for a $3.2 million project. This project, vetted by all the Temple organizations, represents extensive improvements to just about every aspect of Temple Israel life, as well as substantial building enhancements and upgrades. To date, the Capital Campaign has received pledges totaling $2.7 million dollars. We need to close the gap of $500,000 as quickly as possible.

We’ve come this far; let’s reach our goal by year’s end. As the Second Wave of the Centennial Campaign gets underway, this is your opportunity to hang ten.  The time is NOW!

For those who have made pledges, thank you. And, if you haven’t already sent in your 2006 contribution, please do so by the end of December 

for your 2006 taxes.  If you feel you can add to your pledge, even better. For those who have not yet pledged to the campaign, every pledge 

counts and every dollar amount appreciated. Pledges can be spread out over multiple years. 

If we don’t hear from you, we will be calling to set a time to meet and answer all your questions. Your support has an immediate and sustaining 

effect. We urge you to make the most generous pledge you can, now!  

Robert Chaikin

Campaign Coordinator

Groundbreaking Schedule

• December 31, 2006

                  -  Inventorying complete.

-  Moving and Packing plan in place.

• January 31, 3007

-  Packing well underway.

-  Interior Plans finalized.

-  Final Construction Plans delivered.

• February 28, 2007

                  -  Final Budget and Design approvals.

                  -  Entire Contents of Temple packed and moved.

                  -  Signed Construction Agreement.

• March 1, 2007

-  Groundbreaking (Specific Date to be Announced).

-  Renovation begins.

B'shalom,
Robert Chaikin

Past President (Ex officio)

Historic Portsmouth Synagogue Announces Centennial Capital

Campaign to Preserve Building for a Thriving Community

(PORTSMOUTH, N.H.) -- Temple Israel, the first congregation in the oldest Jewish community in the 

Seacoast region, has launched a capital campaign to raise $3.2 million to preserve and build upon its 

100-year heritage in Portsmouth. 

To date $2.3 million has been raised to support the two-pronged plan for the remedial preservation and 

improvement of the historic synagogue which has occupied its 178-year-old structure, formerly the First 

Methodist Church, since 1912. The last major renovation occurred in the 1960s.

(NOTE: As of January, 2006, we have received 

$2,700,000 in pledges) 

"This is the most ambitious volunteer fundraising effort in our congregation's history. We are proud to 

announce that we are more than halfway to our goal and have received a major gift to establish one of 

two new centers at the synagogue," says Temple President Dr. Robert Chaikin.

The new center is The Pamela Shulman Center for Jewish Education, which has been established through the 

generosity of Steven Shulman of Portsmouth, and his children. 

Pamela Shulman, 59, who passed away in May, was an active member of the Temple 

Israel congregation and Centennial Campaign Cabinet; a longtime activist and 

supporter of community, arts, and educational causes. She believed that 

education was of paramount importance to the life of an individual as well as 

a community.

The capital campaign coincides with Temple Israel's centennial year as a congregation. "In 1905, 26 

Jewish immigrant families organized a shul right here in Portsmouth. Today, nearly 300 families belong 

to our conservative synagogue, hailing from more than 60 cities and towns throughout the region," 

says Chaikin. "Now, it is our turn to boldly sustain our Jewish community just as our ancestors did a 

century ago."

Jewish presence in the Seacoast region dates back to 1789, when the first Jews settled in Portsmouth. 

Prussian immigrants Abraham and Rachel Isaac lived on State Street. They established a variety store 

and later a crockery shop. Abraham is buried in Portsmouth's historic North Cemetery. The community 

grew slowly and steadily. As conditions in Eastern Europe became more intolerable for Jews, many 

immigrated to America, including Portsmouth, N.H.

"We are proud to be counted among the 'downtown houses of worship' which have graced Portsmouth for 

generations," says Rabbi David Mark, spiritual leader at Temple Israel since 1986. "We do our utmost 

to participate in all interfaith and other activities for the greater good of the general community. 

To paraphrase Isaiah 56:7, we hope that our synagogue may truly be called a house of peaceful gathering 

in understanding and fellowship for all people."

The renovation, and subsequent campaign, have been in the planning for nearly a decade. Funds raised will 

pay for a two-pronged renewal approach: 

-remedial preservation work to bring the existing structure into the twenty-first century while 

preserving its historic integrity; and 

-to provide additional space for programming, education, and other cultural and social activities 

as befits a vibrant, growing congregation serving multi-ages.

Platt/Hichborn Architects of Exeter, N.H., have prepared conceptual designs which includes a plan to 

capture an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of useable space without expanding beyond the existing synagogue 

walls.

Conceptual Rendering showing 

new Court Street entry

Conceptual Rendering 

showing side of building

from State Street

The new Pamela Shulman Center for Jewish Education (SCJE) will accommodate a flourishing religious 

school of more than 100 students and continue to serve the educational needs of all members -- from 

the students at Kochavim "Little Stars" Preschool to continuing education and community events. 

There will be a new mezzanine level to the Temple's Community Center to accommodate the SCJE, capturing 

approximately 6,700 sq. ft.

Religious School Director James Dricker comments, "The Shulman Center will provide the 

space to our community to allow simultaneous programming for our religious school students 

and their parents. For the first time, parents and their children will be able to attend 

classes in our building at the same time. In addition, our new center will provide much 

needed office space, conference rooms and resource areas."

The other new major center planned is The Center for Library and Media which will house 

state-of-the-art media, computers, and more than 4,000 volumes. It may also serve as a 

repository for historical Judaic collections.

The capital campaign will also fund a rejuvenated social hall; increased parking; 

reorganized building layout with improved, logical access to key areas in the synagogue; 

and administrative offices and chapel conveniently located on the first floor.

Major remedial projects include a new sanctuary roof and HVAC system, as well as repairs 

to the vestry and foundation.

"This is an exciting endeavor and we expect 100 percent support from the Temple Israel 

family and from friends of the synagogue," Susan Friedman, Centennial Campaign co-chair.

"For all of us who dearly value our Jewish heritage, and are so grateful to be living in 

a time and place where we can celebrate our religion, supporting the future of our 

congregation is a commitment worth making," explains Susan Tober, Centennial Campaign co-chair.

"Judaism is at it's essence a shared experience that cannot flourish without community. Our 

strength is our community and it must be preserved for future generations." comments Chaikin.

For more information, contact the Temple Israel Office, 603-436-5301, x11.

Temple Israel Webmaster

 12/07/06