Sacred Space, Sacred Future: The Bicentennial Capital Campaign for B’nai Jeshurun

“Forty years ago this sanctuary was nearly abandoned. Today it is alive with creativity, with families, with people of every generation. The only thing that remains is to ensure that our home is ready for the future that awaits it.” — Rabbi Roly Matalon

For two centuries, BJ has been more than a building. It has been a home for Jewish life, learning, music, justice, and belonging—a place where generations have gathered to pray, celebrate, grieve, and grow together.

Forty years ago, this home stood at a crossroads.

When Rabbi Roly Matalon first walked into BJ’s Sanctuary, the building was in substantial disrepair. Windows were broken. The Sanctuary was dim and nearly empty. Downstairs, rooms were filled with water and abandoned furniture. The community itself was small and uncertain about the future.

But together, this congregation chose hope.

Over the decades that followed, BJ rebuilt—not just the buildings, but the life within them. The Sanctuary was renewed and filled again with song. The Community House was reacquired and restored. Families with young children were soon joining longtime members. New generations of leaders, learners, activists, and seekers found their way here. What once felt fragile became vibrant and alive.

Today, as we celebrate 200 years of BJ, we stand at another pivotal moment.

Our sacred spaces—the Sanctuary and Community House that hold the life of this community—are aging and in urgent need of care. To ensure that BJ continues to flourish for the next generation, we must invest in the physical home that sustains our spiritual community.

Sacred Space, Sacred Future is our commitment to do just that:
to secure and renew our buildings, and to strengthen BJ’s long-term future through endowment support for the programs and community that make this place extraordinary.

The Sacred Space, Sacred Future campaign is a bold investment in BJ’s next century: our home, our people, and our purpose.
Together, we will raise:

• $20 million to renew and revitalize our Community House and Sanctuary buildings, the daily heart of BJ life, where we pray, learn, celebrate, and care for one another.
• $20 million to grow BJ’s endowment, ensuring the continued vitality of the programs, services, and spiritual life that define us.

At the center of this campaign is a lasting tribute: the dedication of the Community House in honor of Rabbi Roly Matalon’s 40 years of leadership and vision, linking his legacy to BJ’s physical and spiritual heart.

Now is our time to celebrate, reflect, and act.

• The bicentennial invites us to honor our past and imagine our future.
• Roly’s retirement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to express our gratitude through lasting impact.
• The Sanctuary and Community House, built in 1928, require necessary upgrades and renewal to serve future generations with strength and beauty.

BJ’s strength flows from the abundance of its people and their generosity, spirit, and shared vision.
Your support will:

• Secure and renew our sacred spaces
• Sustain our community for generations
• Honor Roly’s leadership and carry his vision forward

At the campaign’s conclusion, we will unveil a community donor installation in the renewed Community House in dedication of Roly’s 40 years of service and a lasting expression of gratitude to everyone who helped make vision real. 

Together, let’s shape BJ’s sacred future in our sacred space.

Our tradition teaches that when the Mishkan (holy tabernacle) was built, members of the community who were so moved donated the actual materials that were used to construct it. The precious metals, royal dyes, fine textiles, hand-wrought leathers, and precious stones were all given by the people of Israel. The community members themselves, through acts of generosity, kindness, and love, enabled the realization of their holy space. And so it is that so many in our community have already acted in kind, listed below.

$1,000,000+

Gold: זָהָב (Zahav)
At this level you are invited to a VIP cocktail reception prior to the June 11 Concert celebrating Roly’s 40 years of service and a listing on the donor wall.

• Edward Brill
• Suzanne Schecter and Todd Ruback
• Israel and Julie Lowy

Blue Yarn (Azure): תְּכֵלֶת (Techelet)

$500,000-$999,999

At this level you are invited to a VIP cocktail reception prior to the June 11 concert celebrating Roly’s 40 years of service and a listing on the donor wall.

• Karen Adler
• Josef Goodman and Laura Speyer
• The Earle and Judy Kazis Foundation
• Frank and Julie Kern
• Alan Mantel and Jessica Feder Mantel

Purple Yarn: אַרְגָּמָן (Argaman)

$100,000 – $499,999
At this level you are invited to a VIP cocktail reception prior to the June 11 Concert celebrating Roly’s 40 years of service and a listing on the donor wall.

• Claudio and Penny Pincus
• Ilene Rosenthal
• Orli Etingin Silver and Jonathan Silver
• Judy and Jack Stern
• Yosef Riemer and Vitina Biondo

Scarlet Yarn (Crimson): תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי (Tola’at Shani)

$36,000-$99,000

At this level you are invited to a VIP cocktail reception prior to the June 11 Concert celebrating Roly’s 40 years of service.

Fine Linen: שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר (Shesh Moshzar)

$5,000 – $35,999

• Ellen Metzger and Marvin Lange
• Rae-Carole Fischer and Joseph Saltiel
• John Ruskay

Legacy Society

Or Chadash Society in Honor of the Bicentennial Campaign
Bequest Commitments & Planned Gifts

• Karen Adler
• Anonymous
• Israel and Julie Lowy
• Suzanne Schecter
• Jack and Judy Stern

Direct Gifts

Cash, Check, Wire, or Electronic Payment

A direct and impactful way to support the campaign immediately.

Gifts of Appreciated Stock

Donating appreciated securities can be a tax-efficient way to give while maximizing the impact of your gift.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

Donors age 70½ or older may direct up to the allowable amount from an IRA directly to B’nai Jeshurun, satisfying required minimum distributions while supporting the campaign.

Donor Advised Funds

A direct and impactful way to support the campaign immediately from your charitable fund.

Pledges Over Time

Multi-Year Pledges

Donors can choose to make pledges payable over five years.

Blended Gifts

What Is a Blended Gift? Combining Current and Future Support

A blended gift combines a current contribution with a future commitment such as a bequest. It allows you to support the campaign now to balance present capacity with lasting impact.

Legacy Giving

Legacy Focus

A legacy gift ensures that your values, vision, and love for B’nai Jeshurun endure beyond your lifetime, sustaining a vibrant spiritual home for generations to come.

Bequests and Planned Gifts

Including B’nai Jeshurun in your will or estate plans is a meaningful way to create an enduring impact.

Common types of bequests include:

Specific Bequest

A gift of a specific dollar amount or asset (e.g., cash, securities) designated for B’nai Jeshurun.

Life Insurance Policies

Some donors choose to name B’nai Jeshurun as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or donate a paid-up policy as a meaningful way to make a future gift.

These and other options offer flexibility and can be tailored to reflect your personal values, family priorities, and long-term vision for BJ.

There is no single right way to give, only what is meaningful to you. We welcome the opportunity to talk confidentially about options that align with your values, goals, and vision for B’nai Jeshurun’s future.