New JCC for Des Moines Des Moines—The Board of Governors of (he Jewish Wei* fare Federation bag accepted the recommendations of the community planning committee that a Jewish Community Center facility be constructed or acquired. President M o s e Waldinger will appoint a committee to begin implementation of the recommendations. The board called for this committee's report to be brought to the October meeting of the board. The c o m m i t t e e is charged with the responsibilities of looking for a suitable Bite, securing the services of an architect, and studying the financial capacity of the community for capital funds and the type of support possible from membership dues. The planning committee presented its recommendations to the board after two public forums at which members of the
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community were invited to present their views and disctfSs the community's need for Center services and facility. Recommendations The text of the recommendations, as approved by the board, appears below. "It is, therefore, recommended by the Committee that Beth El Jacob Synagogue be considered as temporary quarters with the following immediate steps taken to relocate the Jewish Community Center after demonstration of adequate Jewish community financial SH>port for a capital funds campaign and annual membership, support from dues: " 1 . Land to be obtained in West Des Moines or in an area that is in close proximity to the bulk of Des Moines Jewish residents to house a future Jewish Community Center building that would also provide grounds to
conduct a day camp program. The building should be principally cultural in nature and limited, containing of f i c e s, auditorium
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class and meeting rooms and a small kitchen. "2. Thatji*5t capital funds '•'* \ conducted in ^0£} .. ^ummunity for
the acquisition of land and construction of a building, • or for acquisition of a suitable building. Here, th« (Continued on Page 7)
Serving Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Lincoln, Omaha OMAHA, NEB., 'FBI., 'JULY 30, 1971
for Omaha
Omaha—A 30' acre site on campaign shows that sufficient available to the Jewish Feder- berg, Morris E. Jacobs and 132nd Street between Dodge and funds can be raised, construc- ation for the new Center. Since J. M. Newman, all past officers pacific Streets has been ac- tion of the building will begin that site is now thought to be or members of the board of the inadequate, it was the Wish of Omaha Jewish Federation. in the calendar year 1972. quired by the Omaha Jewish Milton Livingston ' ;! the trustees of the Foundation C. M;' Newman, president of Federation for the new Jewish At the time of his death at to bring the Center building to the Omaha Jewish Federation, Community Center. Announce- the age of 78 on June 7, 1969, Imitation by providing a larger expressed the thanks of the ment of the new site was made Milton Livingston was a chair- site at 132nd Street, In exchange •Federation "for the understandthe 96th and Western prop- ing of the trustees of the Livthis week by Daniel Katzman, man of tho new JCC building for erty," Mr. Bebcr said. He noted ingston Foundation and for their committee. Ho was in the foreco-chairman of the C e n t e r front of Omaha communal af- that the Foundation will absorb generous help." Building Committee, and David fairs for many decades and his the additional cost of the new Mr. Newman said, "Milton E. Bcbcr ,a trustee of the Mil- g e n e r o u s philanthropy was. site. The 96th and Western site Livingston was always intimatewas purchased for $275,000. The •spread in many areas of the ton and C o r r l n e Livingston cost of the 132nd Street proper- ly involved as a leader in. FedFoundation which made the community. He served as pros-- ty was $317,500. eration activities "arid" concerns, iderit of the Jewish Federation particularly those of the Jewish funds available for the purchase ' in 1947 and 1948 and chairman The trustees of the Livingston Community Center. All of the oi the new site. of the Philanthropies Campaign Foundation share Mr. Living- Foundation trustees have also Plans for a new Jewish Com- in 1941 and 1942. ston's interest in the growth of served tho Federation in leadmunity Center began several Mr. Bebcr recalled Mr. Liv- the Omaha Jewish community, ership p o s i t i o n s , " he said. years ago, followed by a gift ingston's interest in building a and all have served the. Jewish "With tills depth of understanding and concern, these men from Milton Livingston and the new Jewish Community Center. community in leadership roles. recognized the changing needs In addition to Mr. Bcber, the Livingston Foundation of 10 "Mr. Livingston was pleased to make (he 96th and Western site trustees are Dr. Abe Green- of the Jewish Community Cenacres of land at 90th and Western Streets. During tho past year the New Center Planning Committee, under the chairmanship of Charles Monasco, has been probing the many needs of the community to be served by the new c e n t e r . Some 250 people were involved in the study process, and their recommendations for programs and facilities in the new center led to the search for a new site. Future Needs "The result of the studies of Chuck Monasee's committee indicated that we could not fulfill .present and future needs of the community at the 96th1 and Western site", said Mr.-Katzman. "It's only through the generosity and public spirit of tho trustees of this Livingston Foundation that wo were able to make this new land acquisition." . .... ' . Mr. Katzman noted that the new site, which is almost three times, as large as the Ofith and Western property, will allow for • the expanded outdoor facilities and programs recommended by the study committees, According to Mr. Katzman, the new • site will provide adequate space to satisfy all needs for the next two or three'generations, "including the expansion of indoor f a c i l i t i e s should it become necessary." . Mr. Katzman further indicated that the fund-raising camLooking over plot plans of the new JCC site on 132nd Street between Dodge and Pacific arc paign for tho new project will David,£..Bcbcr, Stanley Slosburg, Charles Monasee andDanie^Kateman., * , begin this fall, and if the initial
ter and volunteered to assist us in this outstanding fashion. " "When the New Center site committee agreed on the suitability of the new property,1*. Newman explained, "the trust* ees generously offered, on their own initiative, to make fund* available for this purchase. Wo are particularly grateful for this' expression of commitment to the building of a center which will serve our community for many generations toc'Onie'.""'"' In addition to those mentioned above, others involved in leadership roles for the new J.C.C. include: Joe Rice, co-chairman of the b u i l d i n g committee; Morley Zipursky, chairman of the architect selection committee; Art Goldstein and Stanley Slosburg, center site committee.
(from left) Morley Zipursky, '.;v,,.'. '..][_/l••',