Beth Israel and Agudas Achim Vote to Relocate to Dell Jewish Community Campus

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Jewish congregations consider Dell campus ■ 'Wonderful problem' of growth leaves groups in need of more space By Starita Smith | American-Statesman Staff At Congregation Beth Israel, children's classes are held in every available space: the rabbi's office, the chandeliered boardroom, even the bride's and groom's dressing rooms. "In the next year to year and a half, this congregation will have doubled. In '91 there were 400 households; now it's in the 700s," said senior Rabbi Steven Folberg. "There were 220 children in religious school. Now there ar 540." As young families, transplanted computer industry workers and other newcomers continue to swell the ranks of Austin's Jewish population, the largest congregations — Beth Israel and Agudas Achim — are grappling with what Folberg calls the "wonderful problem" of growth. The Austin Jewish community has grown from about 4,500 people in 1992 to an estimated 8,000 today, according to the nonprofit Jewish Federation of Austin. To cope with that growth, both congregations are considering moving from their locations in North Central Austin to the 40-acre Dell Jewish Community Campus in Northwest Austin. On May 18, Congregation Beth Israel, which is part of the Reform movement of Judaism, voted to See Jewish, A6 [Photo caption, A1] Teacher Jeremy Schneider goes through Hebrew flash cards during a Hebrew class housed in a portable classroom at Temple Beth Israel. (Sung Park/AA-S) — continued from A1 — Jewish congregations consider Dell campus move there from its location at 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., where it has been since 1957. Congregation Agudas Achim, a Conservative movement synagogue at 4300 Bull Creek Road, is scheduled to vote on the same issue at the beginning of August, said Marvin Schrager, chairman of the synagogue's strategic planning committee. "I think that the campus will become something not only of great pride to the Jewish community, but also of great pride to the larger community," said Barry Silverberg, director of the federation. The highlight of the campus will be the Philip and Sylvia Spertus Jewish Community Center, which will include an education building. The campus also will include nature trails, a swimming pool and playing fields. The campus, at 7300 Hart Lane, will be on land donated by Michael Dell, the computer company founder, and his wife, Susan. Although nothing has been built, most of the money for the 22-acre, $14 million community center complex has been raised. The concept of a campus where most of the city's major Jewish institutions would be concentrated, while not wholly endorsed by all Austin Jews, signals that the local Jewish community is larger and more stable than ever before. Running out of room Large contributions like the Dells' — which make the move financially attractive — and serious limitations to their current sites have forced the congregations to think hard about moving. The Congregation Beth Israel temple occupies a beautiful shaded lot just a stone's throw from Shoal Creek. But architects estimate that it would cost $6.6 million to renovate and expand the facilities to accommodate up to 1,250 families. The congregation is expected to grow to 900 families by 1999. Folberg said that because the property is in the flood plain, there might be costly delays in getting clearance from the city to build. Congregation Beth Israel would have to raise $4 million to build at the Dell Campus. However, some members have pledged to buy the current site for a minimum of $2.6 million. Congregation Agudas Achim, which has been at its current site for 30 years, also is running out of room for its 400 families. The stone sanctuary, with its woodwork and stained glass windows, stands out in a neighborhood dominated by block-style government buildings. Architects estimate that adding a second floor would cost $825,000 to $1.35 million, but the expansion would be outgrown in two or three years. Congregation leaders say they were offered $1.8 million for the facility four years ago and believe they can get more than $2 million. On the other hand, synagogue members estimate that building new facilities on the Dell Campus would cost $3.5 million to $4 million. But a decision is not automatic. Last week, leaders declined to predict how the vote would go. "I think we're a different congregation, and once our members are apprised of all the information, they will vote for what they feel is best for the congregation," Schrager said. 'Too suburban' While it may be hard to argue with the economics of moving, some members of both congregations say there are more important issues than money. Seventy-eight-year-old Hyman Samuelson of Congregation Beth Israel, said he believes the renovation could be done for less than the advertised price and believes the temple should stay where it is. It's not that he is opposed to the community center, Samuelson said. "I don't quite see this marriage of the center and the congregations," he said. "I have kind of a gut feeling that it won't work." Steven Ratner, a member of Congregation Beth Israel and a professor of law at the University of Texas, said he is opposed to putting all the Jewish institutions in one place. "It separates us from the rest of the community," he said. "It makes it seem like there is only one place for Jewish activities, when there should be many places." Ratner said the Shoal Creek location is more central to other institutions, such as the universities and hospitals. "I felt the Dell Campus was too suburban," he said. The proposal also has raised concerns among some Jews that the campus could lead to "ghettoization" of the Jewish community. Through hundreds of years, one of the most common ways anti-Semitic governments have used to discriminate against Jews was to confine them to specific parts of a city or region. Sandy Dochen, president of the board of the Jewish Federation of Austin and a member of Congregation Beth Israel, is one of key players in the move, understands the reluctance of some members. "There are some people with very strong feelings about staying. They had some good thoughts," Dochen said. "I practically grew up in that building, so this is very emotional." Deadline looms The Dells have given the congregations an Aug. 31 deadline for deciding whether to move. Congregation Beth Israel hopes to move in fall 1999 and celebrate the Jewish new year there. If the move is approved, Agudas Achim would be on the same schedule. Philip Spertus, with his wife, Sylvia, contributed the first $1 million for the community center, said he is encouraged by Congregation Beth Israel's vote and excited about the future. The Chicagoans, who moved to Austin seven years ago, are the former owners of Intercraft Industries, the largest manufacturer of picture frames in the world. In Austin, they have continued the family tradition of philanthropy to the arts and the Jewish community. "I think it's a great step forward," Spertus said. "It has always been our hope that we would have one, maybe two congregations there with the community center." [Sidebar box] Dell Jewish Community Campus What's proposed for the complex at 7300 Hart Lane. ■ Congregation Beth Israel temple. ■ Congregation Agudas Achim synagogue, pending an August vote on whether to move. ■ Philip and Sylvia Spertus Jewish Community Center. — Community building with fitness facilities and Jewish Federation of Austin offices. — Education center, including two 27,000-square-foot wings for Congregation Beth Israel and Congregation Agudas Achim, if the synagogues moves. — Possibly a Jewish day school. — Educational equipment for adults and children. — Community swimming pool. — Recreational areas, including playing fields, trails and picnic areas. [Photo caption, A6] Michelle Bronik, left, teaches a second-year Hebrew class in a boardroom at Temple Beth Israel. Growth has prompted a shortage of classrooms at the school, which is using all available space for classes. The congregation has voted to move to the Dell Jewish Community Campus. (Sung Park/AA-S) [Map caption] Dell Jewish Community Campus — Present site of Congregation Beth Israel — Present site of Congregation Agudas Achim (Mary Coppinger/AA-S)