Important Moments in History
It was a bold decision in the 1950s when the Federation acquired 40+ acres on Hoover Road in the northern part of Marion County. Over the next several decades, community members came in droves and new buildings were added for partner agencies.
In March 1994, the Federation board of directors approved a plan for new development and upgrades on the existing Jewish Community Campus, which at that time became the Max and Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus. The elements of the plan included:  

• Expansion and renovation of Hooverwood (Jeanette Weinberg Home)
• Addition of new classrooms for the Bureau of Jewish Education
• Cultural Arts Center 
• Renovation and expansion of the JCC as the Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center, including the addition of indoor tennis facilities, physical fitness facilities, an art gallery, and early childhood education classrooms
• New offices for the Federation in the Samuel Kroot Community Services Building
• Additional parking
• Celebration Plaza

The Federation was extremely fortunate to have long-time volunteer and board member David Kleiman serve as the chair of that capital campaign, with Irwin Katz and Frank Newman as honorary chairs and Dr. John Abrams, Brad Bell, Dan Cantor, Dr. Bruce Frank, Marty Kroot, and Janie Maurer as division chairs, in addition to Estelle Nelson who served as board president and professional staff of Carolyn Leeds and Harry Nadler.
Claudette Einhorn chaired the Campus Development Committee. She believed this was an opportunity to enhance vital cultural and spiritual heritage. 
“We can create a place for every member of our community, its children, parents and grandparents,” Einhorn said in the mid-90s.“We have the chance to nurture and embrace the Jewish soul in each of us and to create a sense of community that is so alive and sure that it becomes the center of our already proud Jewish identity.”
In 1997, lay leaders and staff finished an extremely successful campaign that raised more than $15 million.

Today’s Need 
It has been 27 years since the last major campus-wide renovations were made. There is a great need to accommodate more people, programs, and services for the growing community, in addition to upgrading and reinvigorating the well-used facilities.  

• Since the last renovation, the JCC membership has grown more than 250 percent
• Jewish Family Services (JFS) has run out of space to expand services
• The JCC Early Childhood Education program for infants and toddlers has a year-long waiting list
• Young families are looking for a safe, year-round space for children to play and where parents can gather

The Greater Indianapolis Jewish community is larger and more diverse than ever before. More than 23,500 people are living in Jewish households, and many who live in the neighborhood and the general community rely on programs and services offered on the Jewish Community Campus.  
An important goal of Jewish Family Services, Hooverwood Living, JCRC, the JCC and the Federation is to serve a diverse community while upholding Jewish values. Touching more than 2,000 Indianapolis residents a day, the Federation and its partners must ensure that the resources provided will continue far into the future. To that end, the Federation is engaged in an extensive process to reimagine the Campus and how it can even better serve the community now and for the next generation.

The Federation has been doing its homework. 
For the past few years, the Federation has been working with its partners to gather critical data about the community and its needs, as well as assess the campus and facilities for present and future needs:

• A Community Demographic Study was commissioned in 2017 to learn more about the Jewish community of Greater Indianapolis
• A JFGI Strategic Plan was developed for 2019-21
• A working group was convened to complete a 2-year in-depth analysis of the campus, facilities, technology, HVAC, and programming needs
• Focus groups are ongoing with various populations and stakeholders

The team is ready. To make this future a reality, in the months and years ahead, the Federation will be launching and undertaking “Building Together,” a comprehensive capital campaign to strengthen the future of the Jewish community and the campus. This campaign will raise the funds necessary to build new and improved spaces, make essential upgrades to the existing facilities, including security transformations, plan maintenance and upkeep of the campus, and strengthen permanent endowments to support future generations.  

The Team is engaging its leadership. 
To take on this enormous task, the Federation is enlisting the help of lay leaders from multiple generations, expertise, and history with the Federation. The Capital Campaign co-chairs are Brad Bell, Beth Klapper, and David Kleiman. The campaign cabinet includes Claudette Einhorn, Brad Gershman, Diane Lutz, Jamie Ratner Rich, and Leslie Rubin, and professional staff of Debby Barton Grant, Josh Lodolo, Michael Skolnick and Lee Vriesman.

The Federation Needs You! 
This is a historic opportunity to create new, innovative, and invigorating spaces that future generations will be excited to utilize and enjoy. A reimagined campus of tomorrow will ensure that present and future generations of Jewish families will be attracted to and benefit from this important project.
The Federation wants to hear what you would like to see on the Jewish Community Campus. Focus group participants and groups are currently being sought. If you are interested, contact Lee Vriesman, Capital Campaign Manager, at (317) 532-5999 or lvriesman@jfgi.org.