Annual Report 2011 / 2012
Big plans for tomorrow
UJA Federation’s $400 million Tomorrow Campaign, an unprecedented Jewish infrastructure initiative, continues to reshape our city’s Jewish skyline. The Tomorrow Campaign is making enormous strides, raising funds to build the infrastructure for our growing community across the GTA.
We are excited to report that phase two construction of the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus in Vaughan has been completed. This major phase includes the Schwartz/Reisman Centre, Community Services Pavilion and the Conference & Celebration Pavilion. Community response to the Campus has been stellar and donors are happy to be a part of the development of this amazing facility. Phase three of Lebovic Campus will be our next focus in York Region, while at Bathurst and Sheppard plans are coming along on Sherman Campus, with an expected construction start of spring 2015.
Over $300 million has been raised towards UJA Federation’s ambitious Tomorrow Campaign goals. More than $7.5 million has been raised for all three Campuses over the past year. Funding to date has allowed us to complete great projects on all Campuses, and more is yet to come. UJA Federation’s Tomorrow Campaign will continue building and maintaining Jewish infrastructure to ensure the strength and perpetuity of our community.
Fifty years ago, the “North Y” was inaugurated at Bathurst, north of Sheppard, on what was then an empty ravine. Nearly 25 years later, the Lipa Green Centre for Jewish Community Services was erected on the same site. Now at the heart of Jewish Toronto a brand new “city” is being created on the 27 acre site.
Phase one construction on Sherman Campus successfully completed in September 2009. The development included the Prosserman JCC at the Donald Gales Family Pavilion, and an expansion of the Lipa Green Centre for Jewish Community Services. Phase two construction will include the next phase of the Prosserman JCC which will feature the Cynamon/Sokolowski Sports Complex, the Dave & Bea Silverstein Gyms and the Goldie Fitness Centre, opening up to the new Sylvia Dzialoszynski Waks Lobby and the beautiful Ellen Prosserman Atrium. Further development will focus on expanding the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, creating a new Koffler Centre of the Arts, Leah Posluns Theatre, and completing renovations to the Lipa Green Centre including the Alex & Genia Grossman Family UJA Federation Headquarters, among other initiatives.
While programs and services are currently offered in the Lipa Green Centre and the Donald Gales Family Pavilion on the expansive property at Bathurst north of Sheppard Avenue, the surrounding community is anxiously awaiting the next phase of the Campus and all the services that will be offered therein.
The dream has finally become a reality for all those involved and for York Region community members who have watched the development unfold at Bathurst north of Rutherford Road in Vaughan.
The enthusiasm exploded on October 14, 2012, when we held our official Grand Opening of phase two of the Joseph & Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus, celebrating and thanking our incredible visionaries and philanthropists for their partnership on this project. Phase two includes the Schwartz/Reisman Centre, Phil Granovsky Sports & Recreation Pavilion, the Randy Mark Stupp Indoor Aquatic Centre and Brown/Lederman Outdoor Pool, the Gorman Shore Goodman Childhood Education Centre, a Community Arts Centre, Special Program Suite and the Sharp Family Atrium, among many other spaces. Media interest was strong, with coverage from a variety of outlets including National Post, Global Television, Post City Magazine, CityTV, CJN and much more! You can view the event here.
And on November 11, 2012 we celebrated the opening of the Leo & Sala Goldhar Conference & Celebration Centre including the Shirley Auslander Hall and Phase 2B of development on Campus, which also includes the Paradise Café, and the Community Services Pavilion, featuring a Community Hub, a variety of boardrooms and multi-purpose spaces for agencies and other community users, and Mount Sinai Hospital’s Sherman Health & Wellness Centre.
The Reena Community Residence was also erected on Campus, offering 60 affordable supportive housing units for the frail elderly and individuals with physical, developmental and psychological disabilities. Officially opened in September 2012, the facility follows the Campus’ integrated model; sharing spaces, programs and services with the rest of the Campus so that everyone benefits.
In June 2012 we broke ground on Campus for Bialik Hebrew Day School’s Ben & Edith Himel Family Education Centre, which is scheduled to open September 2013 for children in junior and senior kindergarten and grade one, ultimately accommodating up to 800 children to grade eight.
The community response to the Campus has been palpable: the Schwartz/Reisman Centre held its soft opening to the public earlier in the year on June 1, 2012 with approximately 2,700 memberships - 800 more than projected. The daycare and preschool at the Gorman Shore Goodman Childhood Education Centre were 100% full upon opening in September 2012. And events were booked at the Goldhar Conference & Celebration Centre even before the drywall was put up.
The excitement will continue as we focus on Phase 3 development including the Performance Complex. This phase will enhance and integrate the Campus even further, truly making it a central hub for the Jewish community in York Region. Phase 3 construction at Lebovic Campus will include a stunning Performance Complex, designed to act as a beacon and gateway to the Campus. The complex will consist of an elegant atrium, main gallery, theatre workshop spaces, and a grand theatre accommodating approximately 500 patrons at once.
Downtown District
Over the last two decades, the Greater Toronto Area has experienced a resurgence of Jewish life south of St. Clair Avenue. This community renaissance has become a proud and powerful example of what the Tomorrow Campaign can accomplish.
The refurbished Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, located at Bloor and Spadina, along with the Wolfond Centre for Jewish Campus Life, have not only overhauled the way we deliver community services, but have also contributed to Toronto by adding enhanced facilities and programming in the south.
At approximately 3,500 members, the Miles Nadal JCC has transformed a tired urban corner into a hub of Jewish activity in the downtown core. Similarly, the incredible Wolfond Centre for Jewish Campus Life has revolutionized the manner in which the GTA's 4,000 downtown Jewish university students connect with Israel and Jewish life.