Investment In The Future

Shaarey Zedek celebrates completion of Laker education and youth complex.

JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER

BILL HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHER

one are the days when
Shaarey Zedek students at-
tended Hebrew school in
rented classrooms.
From now on, students will be
educated in style at the Irving &
Beverly Laker Education and
Youth Complex in West Bloom-
field.
With a newly renovated 38,000-
square-foot building, 7.5 acres of
land, a new computer system, ath-
letic equipment and art facilities,
the new complex is a
multimillion dollar in-
vestment in the next gen-
eration.
Originally Walnut
Lake Elementary School,
the building was pur-
chased last year for $1.5
million. Although he
would not disclose the
precise cost of renovations
and new equipment,
Shaarey Zedek's execu-
tive director, Leonard
Baruch, said, "A ballpark
figure for renovations
alone is $1.7 million."
According to project ar-
chitect Lonny Zimmer- Four year
man, of the architectural firm
Siegal-Tuomaala Associates, the
renovation aimed to create a sin-
gle, cohesive look that was color-
ful and fun. 'The school was built
in 1940 and expanded about five

G

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community and family within this
location," he said. "It won't just be
a religious school — it will be a
place for Jewish children to be
Jewish."
In addition to housing Shaarey
Zedek's 700-student Hebrew
school, the Laker complex will en-
able the synagogue to offer a vari-
ety of classes, including tennis,
music, dance and karate lessons.
"In order to be a synagogue
within the community, we have to
incorporate as many
things as possible to be
of interest to people,"
Baruch explained.
When asked whether
the building was creat-
ed to attract new mem-
bers, Baruch merely
said that it leaves room
for growth. 'We would
hope that what we have
to offer would be attrac-
tive to families with chil-
dren," he said.
Despite its proximity
to the Maple-Drake
Jewish Community
Center, and the fact that
old David Oleinick tests the new computers • it will offer some of the
for a sukkah, and making the en- same services, such as classes and
tire building handicapped-acces- sports facilities, JCC executive di-
rector David Sorkin says the Lak-
sible.
Baruch says the building will er complex does not threaten him.
"Instead of looking at [the Lak-
be more than just a school.
'We're attempting to recreate a er complex] as competition to the

times in a mix of architectural
styles and materials," said Zim-
merman. "Our task was to meet
the needs of Shaarey Zedek's
school for today and the future,
and to unify the architectural mix-
ture."
Renovations include a new en-
trance lobby, addition of color trim
and accents to the interior, car-
peting, installation of air conch-
tioning in each classroom, a
relandscaped courtyard with space

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Irving and Beverly Laker enter with the Torah.

View from the front.

Judy Margolin, 8, takes a flying leap.

JCC, I'm hoping what it does is ful-
fill more needs and connect more
children to activities under Jew-
ish auspices," said Sorkin, who
added that he is optimistic that the
two institutions will be able to
share programming and resources
in the future.

'We're trying to enhance rela-
tionships, rather than be compet-
itive," he said.
Shaarey Zedek celebrated the
new complex with a community-
wide dedication ceremony and fes-
tival — replete with carnival rides
— on August 22. ❑