Jay Rubin Op-Ed Celebrates Dell Jewish Community Campus's 10th Anniversary

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Celebrating a decade of pluralism, diversity JAY RUBIN | LOCAL CONTRIBUTOR The 40-acre Dell Jewish Community Campus opened 10 years ago. Its impact on Jewish life in Austin and Central Texas has been nothing short of transformational. Although the founding of Congregation Beth Israel in the late 19th century marked the beginning of organized Jewish life in Austin, the opening of the Dell campus in 2000 symbolized the arrival of a 21st century Jewish community. No longer in the shadow of Jewish communities in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Austin's Jewish community, like Central Texas in general, had experienced more than a decade of dynamic demographic and economic growth. The development of the campus involved hundreds of volunteers, thousands of hours and millions of dollars. Michael and Susan Dell purchased the Hart Family Ranch in 1992 with the idea of donating the land and creating a center for Jewish life in Austin. Not without controversy, the project divided congregations and neighbors. Could the Jewish community raise the necessary funds without negatively affecting other institutions? Would existing synagogues agree to relocate? Would the campus become a target of anti-Semitism or create a ghetto separating Jews from the larger community? Would the overwhelming majority of Northwest Hills area residents come to accept the campus over time? Today, we know the answers to all of these questions. The campus serves as the home of the Jewish Federation of Greater Austin, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family Service, four synagogues — Congregation Agudas Achim (conservative), Temple Beth Shalom (reform), Congregation Tiferet Israel (orthodox) and Congregation Kol Halev (postdenominational) — and the Austin Jewish Academy. Congregation Beth Israel continues to thrive on Shoal Creek Boulevard and to deepen its partnership with campus-based institutions. Far from separating Jews and non-Jews and fostering anti-Semitism, the campus has become one of the most popular, safe and secure gathering places in Austin, with thousands of members and guests of all races, religions and ethnicities. It's a prime meeting space for civic, nonprofit and other community organizations. On Sunday, the Jewish community will sponsor J-Fest: The Austin Jewish Cultural Festival, a community-wide birthday celebration featuring dozens of hands-on experiential learning opportunities for children and adults about Judaism, Jewish civilization and Israel. Admission is free and highlights include music, food, children's entertainment, storytelling, singing, games, hands-on crafts, holiday and life cycle displays, a shuk (marketplace), Israel and social action information, Israeli wine tasting, an "Ask the Rabbi or Cantor" booth, calligraphers, children's choirs and more. The afternoon will culminate with a 4 p.m. concert by Michelle Citrin, co-producer, writer and star of YouTube sensations "Rosh Hashanah Girl," "20 Things To Do with Matzah" and "Pass the Candle." J-Fest will involve every local Jewish institution and organization and hundreds of volunteers to showcase Jewish culture and to welcome our neighbors and friends throughout Central Texas. J-Fest also coincides with J-Serve, a day of community service and civic engagement for Jewish teens around the world. We're proud of our decade-old home as both a gathering place and nerve center and still very much a work in progress, with plans and dreams to engage our fast-growing community with new facilities, programs and services in the years ahead. We hope you'll join us at J-Fest. We're looking forward to welcoming you with open arms and a Texas-style "Shalom, y'all." Rubin is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Austin.