BY Tequila Minsky
There were no shovels because there was no dirt. But the opening party for the Jewish Community Project’s new Tribeca space was still billed as “groundbreaking.”
“My six-year-old daughter Olivia is in the Hebrew after-school (Mechina) program,” said Jamie Propp, hammer and nails in hand while affixing his name to a long plank, the symbolic New York City style groundbreaking.
The Jewish religion and cultural center based at 146 Duane Street is bursting at the seams with the population explosion of children and parents in Tribeca, many who are Jewish. Propp echoed the sentiments of some of his Tribeca neighbors who hail from Jewish communities elsewhere. “It’s wonderful to have access and a source of Jewish life Downtown. It makes it feel more like home,” said Propp, who hails from Westchester.
On December 15, Propp and his wife, Sang A Im-Propp, were among the more than 150 Tribecans and J.C.P. friends celebrating the “groundbreaking” at the site where J.C.P.’s facilities will expand, the east side of the second floor of the Carey Building on Chambers Street. Plans include classrooms, a gallery, a sacred space and a community hall with moveable walls for flexible configurations. The windows front Chambers, Church, and Reade Streets.
State Senator Daniel Squadron and other community members spoke at the event supporting J.C.P.’s growth. Celebrants also feted Victoria Feder during the evening. She is one of the prime leaders of the J.C.P., inspired to have a Jewish cultural center and the need to inclusively connect as a community following the events of September 11.
The J.C.P. began with Shabbat services in people’s homes, added a pre-school, which is now in its sixth year, has Jewish cultural after-school classes and other programming. The target date for completion is Fall 2011 and the expansion will add classrooms to those on Duane Street. The Website lists classes, schedule of events — the next festive occasion is Purim, March 20 at P.S. 234 — and more.
The DJ for the evening was rabbinical intern and after-school instructor Joshua Beraha. After an evening of oldies and contemporary music, he seemed to know just when to instigate a hora. The room of celebrants spontaneously grasped hands and started dancing in the traditional and energetic expression of festivity.
Following kudos the DJ put on some traditional music and a hora quickly manifested.
