Winter damaged our pergola. Now we rebuild

Last winter, an unexpected disaster struck when a large tree from the neighboring school collapsed onto the grounds of Kehillat Adat Shalom-Emanuel, destroying our pergola and causing severe damage to the “Mimi Garden”. Fortunately, the storm hit overnight and no one was hurt. For so many people, this was far more than just a courtyard - it was the open heart of the community: the place where families gathered for kiddush celebrations after a child’s bar or bat mitzvah, where children laughed and played during holiday events, and where members of the community came together in moments of joy, connection, and belonging.
Now, as summer approaches and many communal and family celebrations draw near, we are facing the enormous task of rebuilding this beloved space from the ground up. Unfortunately, the insurance compensation will not cover the full expense of repairing the pergola and doesn’t include the restoration of the “Mimi Garden”, which Bruce Avishai planted and lovingly tends, in memory of his wife, Mimi, z”l. A Conservative/Masorti community like ours, which functions as an non-profit, cannot bear these costs alone. That is why we are turning to you - our friends, families and supporters, who believe in egalitarian and inclusive Jewish community life - to help us restore the courtyard that belongs to all of us. Every contribution, large or small, will help us rebuild a warm, safe, and vibrant communal space where we can continue to celebrate, pray, gather, and create meaningful memories for generations to come.