AUGUST 3 • 2023 | 19 continued on page 20 was being constructed. “From day one, one thing I appreciated seeing in the mission statement was the idea of inclusion. Everyone has a voice; everyone has something to offer; everyone is valued here,” Moskowitz said. Rabbi Daniel A. Schwartz and Cantor Penny Steyer are also integral parts of Shir Shalom’s clergy. The temple hosts many special events and programs, including interactive holiday services, themed and outdoor Shabbat services, a variety of adult education opportunities as well as community- building and charitable activities. Shir Shalom’s Learning Center Preschool provides individualized, developmental, relationship- based Jewish education for families with children ages 2½ to 5. SHORESH (Shir Shalom’s Religious School) offers a comprehensive Hebrew and Judaic education for children in preschool through high school. SHORESH utilizes a “camp model,” striving to make Sunday school like Jewish summer camp. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE A major part of Shir Shalom’s future is Project All Together, a multimillion-dollar expansion that will create multi-purpose spaces for programming and services both inside and outside the temple walls. The expansion will bring Shir Shalom’s preschool on-site, which means all of Shir Shalom’s children, religious school students included, will be under one roof. Shir Shalom had previously rented space at Adat Shalom Synagogue for its preschool. Also part of the plan is a renovated social hall, a new studio/adult learning space to enhance Shir Shalom’s virtual connections, a second sacred space allowing for b’nai mitzvah and congregational services to happen simultaneously, new multi-use outdoor spaces and a patio and pavilion area. Construction is in progress, and the Shir Shalom community is excited. The plan is for everything to be ready by the new year. “It’s bringing new energy to us,” Moskowitz said. “Everything is getting refreshed.” It was always envisioned that the building Shir Shalom moved into in 1995 was Phase One. There were already sketches of Phase Two at that point. “We knew we never had enough room for all the things we’ve wanted to do here,” Moskowitz said. “As we’ve grown, and as we’ve strengthened our community, this opportunity has come to fruition.” Rabbi Michael Moskowitz LEFT: A view from above as work was being done at Temple Shir Shalom. BELOW: A rendering of a classroom in Temple Shir Shalom’s expanded facilities.