Bridgewater JCC Celebrates 15-Acre Expansion Next To Existing Campus

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Community members, JCC leaders, supporters and local officials gathered Oct. 28 for a ribbon-cutting marking the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center’s acquisition of 15 acres next to its Bridgewater campus.

The event marked the official purchase of the property and what the JCC described as a major step in its $7 million Building Our Future Campaign, themed "15 Acres. Endless Possibilities."

Laura Friedman, chief executive officer of the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, opened the ceremony and welcomed attendees.

"For 26 years, our JCC has continued to grow because the needs of our community have continued to grow," Friedman said. "Having 15 acres become available directly next to our campus is an opportunity we may never have again. It allows us to think not only about what our community needs today, but what it will need 10, 20 and 30 years from now."

According to the JCC, the land purchase gives the organization room to expand its campus and plan for future community needs.

The campaign remains underway as the JCC works toward developing the property and upgrading facilities across its existing campus.

The event also included remarks from David Bernstein, president of the JCC Board of Directors; Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew C. Moench; Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Howard Cohen and Josh Leibner; and Rabbi Dan Selsberg of Temple Sholom, who led the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The JCC said the campaign’s priorities include upgrades and expanded opportunities for JCC Camp Ruach, year-round facilities for special needs programming, a new learning kitchen, additional parking and expanded outdoor recreation and gathering spaces.

Potential future uses for the property include multipurpose athletic fields, walking and running paths, courts, adventure and ropes courses, nature-based programming areas and flexible community event space, according to the JCC.

The organization also said it plans to winterize the existing Camp Ruach building to create a year-round home for JCares, its program for adults with special needs, and convert the Swim Club’s seasonal snack bar into a year-round learning kitchen.

"Growth for us has never simply been about getting bigger," Friedman said. "It has always been about being able to say yes to more people. We want a child to be able to go to camp, a family to be able to send their child to preschool, and an individual with special needs to have a place where they can learn, work, make friends and be part of a community. This campaign gives us the opportunity to continue doing that on an even greater scale."

The campaign is dedicated in memory of Doron Steger, a founding leader of the JCC and a member of the campaign’s fundraising committee.

Fundraising continues, and the JCC said plans for the 15 acres will continue to evolve as it works with professionals, community leaders and members to determine how the property can best serve the community.

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