Help Us Trace Our Past

As we plan for the future, PSJC is working to document the past for an upcoming historical exhibit. We need information and photos from PSJC's history to answer questions such as:

• · Who were the people responsible for our beautiful building?
• · How did the synagogue begin and grow?
• · What did the space look like over the years and how did it change?

Specifically, we're looking for:

• Photos of the shul - interior or exterior - the earlier the better!
• Any existing historical information that you know of, such as membership records, deeds, donations ...
• Any names of people you remember from your early days at the shul, and if you happen to know of children or grandchildren of those members.
• Any other interesting tidbit about the shul building or past that you might have.

Please share all your memories - even if incomplete. We'll do whatever legwork is necessary to follow up on them. Please contact Lisa Altshuler or Annette Jaffe at capital.campaign@psjc.org, or call Lisa at 718-789-2480 or 347-613-9302.

The Men's Room

Here at the PSJC Capital Campaign, we know we're asking for a lot. $1.75 million ain't chump change, and people want to know why the synagogue needs so much. It's a fair question, and on this blog we'll do our best to answer it.

First up: the men's room. In this case, photos definitely speak louder than words. While arguably only used by about half the congregation, at the same time, we think you'll agree it's pretty bad. We're not talking about out-of-date color or missing toilet paper, but cracked doors, broken tile and heaven knows what on the walls (I believe that would be the leak damage).

What fixes does PSJC most need in your eyes? Let us know, and we'll describe and shoot it in future blog entries.

David Cooper braved the men's room for the following photos.

Looking for a Laptop

Have an extra laptop around the house? The Capital Campaign would love to take it off your hands. We've got software and talented designers, but we lack tools for either. Please keep us in mind if you've got an extra you want to recycle. This would be a great way to get rid of a student's old computer if they're getting a new one for the holidays. The donation is tax-deductible. E-mail us: capital.campagin@psjc.org.

A Channukah Gift and A Mitzvah

Looking for a creative Channukah that doubles as a mitzvah? Make a donation to the Capital Campaign in a loved ones' honor. The Capital Campaign will e-mail a gift certificate that you can download and print. To donate, contact the Capital Campaign. All donations will be listed in the January "What’s Happening?" bulletin.

Welcome

The first time my husband walked into PSJC, he couldn't stop talking about the sanctuary -- the murals and dome, the intricate woodwork, and of course, the kavanah. It wasn't until later, after we'd come to services a few times, after we'd tried to navigate the narrow, crowded stairs after Kol Nidre or sweated during afternoon services, that we realized the jewel of the sanctuary was encased in a building desperate for modernization and repair.

Simply bringing the building into the 21st century will take $1.75 million. The Capital Campaign committee acknowledges that's a great deal of money, especially in our current economic climate. But just as so many of us have needed PSJC, now PSJC needs us -- to continue shoring up the building after water damage, to ensure there's room for students and adults to continue learning, and to create a synagogue that is truly a community gathering place.

The PSJC Capital Campaign committee wants this process to be as open as possible. We'll show you exactly what the money will be spent on, how the fundraising is going and ways to get involved. Questions? Don't hesitate to contact us.