26 | JULY 28 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

T

he Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue (IADS) has officially
started construction on a
$5 million transformational building
renovation project. To celebrate its 100th
anniversary, the Downtown Synagogue
wanted to upgrade its space to make
it more welcoming and accessible for
Jewish Detroiters.
“The Downtown Synagogue is grateful
to all those who have helped sustain us
for the past 100 years, and
we’re excited to continue to
be a part of Jewish Detroit
for the next 100. We are
thrilled to be able to be
even more welcoming,
accessible, intergenerational

and committed to Jewish values and
education in this next chapter,” said
IADS Board President Samantha Woll.
Every part of the building will be
renovated. The Downtown Synagogue
will be trading ground-floor brick walls
for floor-to-ceiling glass windows and
will be installing a new ADA-compliant
elevator.
It will also be upgrading its sanctuary,
social hall and kitchen, and will have a
dedicated space for children and flexible
programs and events.
“Our third floor is becoming a Jewish
co-working space where we’re inviting
partner organizations to collaborate
and share resources and really build
community under one roof,” said Rachel

Rudman, executive director
of Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue.
The Reimagining the
Downtown Synagogue
Capital Campaign is helping
to bring this project to life.
The campaign originally
started with a $5 million goal, which was
met, but due to the rise in construction
costs an additional $1.4 million is
needed.
“The Reimagining the Downtown
Synagogue campaign is about
envisioning a space that serves the
diverse needs of the burgeoning Jewish
Detroit population and — at the same
time — serves as a hub
for the broader Jewish
community that’s keen
on reengaging the city,”
said Vadim Avshalumov,
immediate past president
and co-chair of the
Building Renovation
Committee.
“It’s going to become a key institution
for our Jewish community, and we’re
counting on a spectrum of Jewish

IADS Renovation
Construction Begins

Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue celebrates
its 100th anniversary with a renovation project.

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

IMAGES COURTESY OF IADS

Samantha
Woll

Rachel
Rudman

Vadim
Avshalumov

A rendering
of the IADS
facade once
completed.

continued on page 28