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