Hebrew College Breaks Ground On Jewish Hub In Newton

NEWTON, MA — Hebrew College, an institution of Jewish learning and leadership, celebrated the construction of its new shared campus with Temple Reyim and seven other Boston-area partner Jewish organizations with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 5.

The new interdisciplinary hub of Jewish learning and life will be located at Temple Reyim’s current home in Auburndale. The project is the product of two years of planning with the goal of creating a national model for Jewish communal collaboration and innovation.

“We are uplifted and inspired by the breadth and depth of support throughout our community and beyond, as we begin construction of our dynamic shared campus, which will create new opportunities for the College to grow, meet evolving needs, and prepare Jewish spiritual and educational leaders to meet people at many different doorways to Jewish life,” said Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld in a statement.

Hebrew College has raised $13.2 million through its ongoing Capital Campaign, “Branching Out, Building Together,” to renovate the existing Temple Reyim property and construct an additional two-floor building. The new building will be called the “Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Education Building” after the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, which donated a $1 million grant.

“Our vision for this collaborative is grounded in a desire to live more fully into our missions, and with a deep love of Jewish learning, spiritual openness, and commitment to collaboration,” said Temple Reyim spiritual leader Rabbi Daniel Berman in a statement. “We are thrilled to work with Hebrew College and each of our campus partners to bring this vision to life.”

Other partners on the shared campus will include Jewish Arts Collaborative, Jewish Women’s Archive, Kesher Newton, Keshet, Massachusetts Board of Rabbis, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center, and Zamir Chorale of Boston.

In August 2018, Hebrew College made the decision to sell its current campus in Newton Center to eliminate debt, reduce operating costs, rededicate resources to people and programs, and create new opportunities for partnership and collaboration. The school plans to move to its new home in January 2023.