CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

This Capital Campaign, which began with the creation of a formal master plan for the campus, envisions a completely renovated and upgraded facility, built to the highest standards of quality and environmental design, and capable of meeting our programmatic needs for decades to come.  

Guest Housing

The Challenge:  Many of our lodges, which were built primarily for summer use more than sixty years ago need to be rebuilt.  In addition, most lodges have shared baths and lack handicap accessibility.

Opportunity:  The master plan includes rebuilding 80% of our lodges and increasing the number of rooms by 50%.  The new accommodations will be handicap accessible and will include private baths.

Program Space

Challenge: We lack sufficient and appropriate space to meet the needs of new programs and increased facility use. 

Opportunity: The master plan includes twice the current square footage of program space.  We will build a new synagogue that is capable of seating 250 guests,  several new lecture halls and classrooms, an Arts Center, a Yoga/Exercise Studio, and a separate “Village” for our ADAMAH Teen Institute just across our lake.  These changes will allow us to accommodate larger groups and multiple groups at one time.

Faculty and Staff Housing

Challenge: We have insufficient housing for staff or visiting lecturers and their families. 

Opportunity: The master plan includes five new apartments, a staff lounge, and a separate staff kitchen.
 

Dining Hall/Kitchen

Challenge: Our dining hall and kitchen were designed to serve fewer than 300 meals a day.  Today, when operating at full capacity, we serve more than 550 meals daily. 

Opportunity:  Our new dining hall will serve as many as 900 meals per day.  This will allow us to serve meals to several groups at the same time, and will also make Isabella Freedman an option for larger groups looking for a kosher retreat location.

Administrative Space

Challenge:  We have doubled our number of staff members over the past three years while continuing to utilize the same small space for all operations and programming.  Administrative space is the primary factor limiting programmatic growth. 

Opportunity: We will greatly increase administrative and related space for our programming staff.

Environmental Impact

Challenge: Buildings have a significant impact on the environment.  Globally, buildings account for 40% of natural resources used and produce 36% of total carbon emissions which contributes significantly to detrimental environmental impacts associated with Global Warming.  In addition, the cost of energy use has soared in recent years and will likely be unpredictable for decades to come.  

Opportunity: Environmental stewardship is a core value of our organization influencing what we teach and how we operate.  Our newly built facility will represent the best in environmental design and will incorporate effective environmental technologies throughout.  The new main lodge will be built according to the US Green Building Council’s LEED guidelines, and as such, will serve as a teaching model to the thousands who visit us each year.