A New Day for the J
The Shalom Austin Generations Campaign began building a brighter future for Austin’s Jewish community and all residents on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 at a historic groundbreaking ceremony.
New Dell JCC Makes History with Ribbon Cutting!
May 15, 2023
On May 15, 2023, our Ribbon Cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the newly expanded and improved Dell Jewish Community Center was a momentous occasion that marked a historic moment and began a new chapter for the Austin Jewish community.
We would like to thank everyone who was part of this extraordinary day, including our speakers: Doron Krakow, President and CEO of JCC Association of America; Keith Zimmerman, Generations Campaign Chair; Mayor Kirk Watson; Council Member Alison Alter, District 10, and Michael and Susan Dell whose visionary leadership and transformation philanthropy paved the way for this project.
A special thank you to the Jewish clergy, interfaith leaders, elected officials, local law enforcement, community supporters and contributors.
New Dell JCC Opens April 26, 2023!
April 18, 2023
Our Progress Toward Opening and Temporary Entrance
March 24, 2023
We look forward to opening our doors and welcoming you into the new Dell JCC as soon as we can! We want to update you on our progress and inform you about the temporary entrance to our current JCC facilities.
We are working closely with the Austin Fire Department and City of Austin to pass our final inspections. Our recent fire code inspection resulted in an unexpected delay toward opening the new building.
While we prepare for the final inspections, we are excited to announce the opening of our beautiful new courtyard and the Deborah & Richard Rudy Playscape! We invite all of you to enjoy this wonderful new area and these amenities. All children are welcome to enjoy the new playscapes built for ages 2-5 and 5-12.
Beginning Saturday, March 25, the Dell JCC Welcome Desk will temporarily move to its former location. JCC members, please use the front parking lot and enter through the new courtyard. Moving forward, the JCC entrance in use for the past several months will be closed to the public.
Thank you for your support and contributions toward achieving our dreams! Thanks to you, we are almost there! We will continue to send regular updates, and you will be among the first to know when we open the doors to the new building.
Take a Virtual Tour of the J
February 22, 2023
“We are so pleased to support Shalom Austin in its mission to be the hub of Jewish life in Central Texas. We always seek opportunities to uplift and encourage the Jewish experience, and Shalom Austin goes above and beyond that by offering resources to those both inside and outside our faith community. We thank them for this honor,” said Michael and Susan Dell.
The Generations Campaign was established in 2013 to build the future of the Austin Jewish community through an expansion and refresh of the JCC facilities and Jewish Family Service. Thanks to the Dell family’s contribution of a $6.25 million matching gift through their Foundation and with the help of more than 900 individual donors and organizations, that goal was achieved and surpassed.
With this funding, the facility expanded to include a new state-of-the-art fitness center, an aquatic center, tennis and pickleball courts, renovated locker rooms, a living room, café, education center, refreshed community hall and preschool, and other upgrades. The new building is scheduled to open in early 2023.
The new Dell Heath & Wellness Center is also named after the Dell family.
- Furniture, furnishings and lighting fixtures were installed in the living room, cafe, meeting rooms and staff offices.
- More than 80 pieces of Technogym exercise equipment was installed.
- Fire alarm testing and safety inspections were conducted.
Take a Virtual Tour of the J
December 21, 2022
The Hanukkah candles are shining bright for Shalom Austin and the community. As we prepare to open our doors to the new Dell JCC early next year, we are excited to give you a sneak peek inside! See what’s coming and experience the new fitness center, exercise studios, living room, café, engagement and education center, and more. View this video to take a virtual tour and explore the new building. We can’t wait to welcome you home!
As we’re building the incredible new facilities at the J, we always prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our community and visitors. With the rise in antisemitic incidents, Shalom Austin and our partner institutions are actively working to make the Dell Jewish Community Campus even safer and are developing specific improvements. Some of those changes will be visible in the coming months, others will be more discreet.
Thank you for your support and being part of this great community. Wishing you and your family a Happy Hanukkah and holiday season!
Winter Construction in Full Swing
November 30, 2022
Construction continues to transform our facilities this season.
Telescopic seating was installed in the newly refreshed Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center in time for the Austin Jewish Film Festival. The newly refreshed GroupEx studio opened earlier this month, and JCC members are enjoying over 30 classes each week in this refreshed space.
The new main building front facade is now visible, adorned with our new Dell Jewish Community Center sign.
If you are not yet a member, join now to enjoy the JCC and all the new facilities coming soon!
We are proud to announce our Early Childhood Program preschool is now named Zeifman Family Early Childhood Program. We are grateful for the contributions of Clifford Zeifman to the Generations Campaign. While Clifford is no longer an ECP parent, he is a lifelong supporter of the Jewish community and Jewish education. Through Clifford’s gift, we made much-needed upgrades to our classrooms and facilities where children and families are enjoying even more educational experiences. Read more about the ECP on our blog.
OUR PROGRESS
- Interior finishes for the new main building, including tile, countertops, paint and ceilings, are taking shape.
- Remainder of the exterior glass on the new main building is being installed.
- Power is on and HVAC system startup is underway in the new main building.
- Building permit is in review with the City of Austin for the Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building.
New JFS Building Breaks Ground and More Exciting Progress
July 29, 2022
The Generations project is heating up this summer! In June, the Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building broke ground and will begin construction soon. This new building will house the Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service offices, food pantry and other elements allowing us to provide affordable and culturally sensitive social services to maintain wellness and dignity for all — now from a convenient location on the Dell Jewish Community Campus. Click here to read more about the groundbreaking.
The new main JCC building, which includes the living room of the Jewish community, meeting rooms, fitness center and more, is also making headway. Read more about our progress with photos below.
OUR PROGRESS
- Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building broke ground, and the building permit is in review with the City of Austin.
- Mechanical, plumbing and electrical are mostly complete in the new main building.
- Drywall on the first floor of the new main building is mostly complete and painted.
- Exterior glass on the new main building is being installed.
- Exterior stone work on the new main building is mostly complete.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Get Ready for Summer! Aquatic Center is Now Open!
May 2, 2022
Our new Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center with the Lisa and Sandy Gottesman Pool, along with new state-of-the art locker rooms are now open! If you are not yet a Shalom Austin JCC member, JOIN TODAY to enjoy our new facilities and membership perks!
In addition to our recent opening, we are making great progress on the new Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center, main JCC building and more. Read more about our progress and see photos below.
OUR PROGRESS
- Drywall finishing, paint and floor polishing have started in the new Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center.
- Renovations for the community hall bathrooms are underway.
- Roofing has been installed in the new main building.
- Interior drywall is in process in the new main building.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Community Hall Renovations Make Progress
March 30, 2022
Just a few months ago, we started major upgrades on the Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center, which is making great progress. These renovations will offer a gorgeous and professional new space for large community gatherings which will also include retractable theater seats. We are excited to share it with you in the coming months.
Our tennis program at the new Hurt Family Tennis Center is off to an incredible start. Registration for our second session is now open!
Get excited for the opening of the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center with the Lisa and Sandy Gottesman Pool and the adjacent locker rooms and family changing rooms. As soon as we receive final approval from the City of Austin, we will share more details – coming soon!
If you are not yet a Shalom Austin JCC member and would like to join now or learn more, please visit our website.
OUR PROGRESS
- New roofing, interior framing and drywall for the new Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center are complete.
- Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, interior wall framing and roofing installation are in process in the new main building.
- The building that will house our new locker rooms with steam and sauna rooms, family changing rooms and aquatics offices nears completion.
- The site revision has been received and the building permit is being submitted for the new Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Tennis is Here!
February 21, 2022
Tennis classes, lessons and programs at our new Hurt Family Tennis Center are starting February 27! We have six lit tennis courts lined for adult and youth tennis as well as pickleball, to provide opportunities for year-round offerings. Check out our tennis page for more information on classes and these great facilities.
We have also made incredible progress on the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center with the Lisa and Sandy Gottesman Pool, which is ready to open as soon as we receive final approval from the City of Austin. Our opening date for members is coming soon!
If you are not yet a Shalom Austin JCC member and would like to join now or learn more, please click here.
OUR PROGRESS
- Renovations have begun on the new Epstein Family Community Hall / Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center.
- Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical are in process for the main JCC building.
- Exterior wall framing continues on the main JCC building.
- Steam and sauna rooms are in process and tile work continues.
- Locker room vestibule glass doors and roof is complete and the concrete floor polishing has started.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Aquatics and Tennis Set to Open Soon!
January 20, 2022
We are so excited with the progress we have made this winter on the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center and Hurt Family Tennis Center and beyond!
We plan to open our brand new aquatic and tennis centers soon to members, so stay tuned for more information about our opening event. If you are not yet a member and would like to join now or learn more, please visit our website.
Check out the details of our progress below.
OUR PROGRESS
- Final inspections are being scheduled for the aquatic center
- Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical are in process for our new main building
- Walls are being painted, drop ceiling grid has started to be placed, and tile work continues in the building that will soon house locker rooms, family changing rooms and aquatics and tennis offices
- Building permit has been submitted for the new Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Hanukkah Lights the Way to Our Opening
November 23, 2021
This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for the progress we have made on the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center and Hurt Family Tennis Center, and for the new memories and connections we will make together in our expanded facilities.
As we begin to light the candles for Hanukkah starting Nov. 28, we celebrate the generosity and support of this community to help achieve our goal of modernizing and transforming the J.
We can’t wait to welcome you when we open early next year! If you are not yet a member and would like to join or learn more, please visit our website.
Other parts of the Generations project are also underway. Check out our progress, photos and timeline below.
OUR PROGRESS
- Surface of the tennis courts is installed, and lines painted. Nets and wind screens are installed.
- Children’s activity pool and lap pool plaster is installed and filled with water.
- Landscaping is installed.
- Snack bar — made possible by the Families with Young Children Campaign — building stone is complete, the interior is painted and the mechanical systems trimmed out.
- Concrete floor for the second floor of our new main building was poured and the roof steel is being trimmed out.
- Drywall in the building that will house locker rooms, family changing rooms and aquatics offices is installed and network/security cabling has started.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Aquatic and Tennis Centers on the Home Stretch
October 25, 2021
As we enter the fall season, the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center and Hurt Family Tennis Center take shape. Despite supply chain delays, progress has continued on these major outdoor features scheduled to open later this year to JCC members. More details coming soon! If you are not a member and would like to join or learn more, please visit our website.
Other parts of the Generations project are also underway. Check out our progress, photos and timeline below.
OUR PROGRESS
- Structural steel of our new main building is being installed.
- Most of the pool mechanical equipment is set in the new mechanical room, and piping continues to be installed.
- Sidewalks, a new accessible bridge and pathway are complete.
- Exterior stone on the new pool snack bar and mechanical building is mostly complete.
- Drywall in the building that will house locker rooms, family changing rooms and aquatics offices is mostly installed.
- Pool water tightness test is underway.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Aquatics and Tennis Near Completion
September 2, 2021
As we approach the High Holy Days and welcome the new year with Rosh Hashanah beginning Monday evening, we also celebrate the progress of the Generations project. We are thrilled to share that the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center and Hurt Family Tennis Center construction is on schedule and set to open later this fall to JCC members! Stay tuned for details and the opening date!
Other parts of the Generations project are also underway.
OUR PROGRESS
- Grading work and hydromulch around the Hurt Family Tennis Center is complete.
- Tiling continues for the lanes of the new Sandy and Lisa Gottesman Swimming Pool.
- The large waterslides and children’s play features were installed as part of the Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center. The view from the top of the slide is incredible!
- Coping and tile continues on the children’s activity pool.
- Mechanical equipment is starting to be set in the mechanical room.
- The poolside snack bar stone exterior has started.
- Building slab concrete has been filled as the footprint for the new main building; steel is on its way.
- Interior framing, mechanical, and electrical work continue for the new locker rooms, family changing, childcare and nursing mother’s rooms, and aquatics and tennis offices.
- The former administrative building has been demoed where construction will begin on the new home of the Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
We are Making Waves at the New Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center!
July 29, 2021
Our new water slides and family-friendly activity pool with spray features, dumping buckets, water tables, and slides have been installed!
Get ready for treats by the pool! The walls of our poolside snack bar are going up.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your families to enjoy all the new attractions.
More progress to come! Follow along on our website or sign up to receive email updates at shalomaustin.org/subscribe.
Summertime Construction Brings Progress on Aquatics and Tennis: Set to Open Early Fall
July 15, 2021
Summer is here, and much work is continuing on our facilities. In light of recent rain and supply chain delays, we are starting to see our new outdoor spaces take shape.
Our Progress
- Water slide piers have been poured.
- Concrete foundation for the poolside snackbar, lifeguard area, and pool mechanical building has been poured.
- Interior walls of the pool are finished.
- Sand and gravel have been spread for the foundation of the new main JCC building.
- Lighting for the tennis center has been installed.
- New framing of the former fitness center building is 80% complete.
- Construction preparation on the new Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building will start next month!
New Pool and Tennis Courts Starting to Take Shape
May 24, 2021
Summer is approaching, and exciting things are happening. After starting construction only a few months ago, we are proud to show the incredible progress on our new facilities that this community has helped us achieve. Despite some minor supply chain delays, we continue to make strides toward completing the first phase of construction and opening the new Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center and the Hurt Family Tennis Center.
Our Progress
- Tennis court concrete pads have been poured.
- Form work and rebar is installed for the pools.
- Piers for the water slides and aquatics building are installed.
- We received permits for Phase 2 of construction.
- Building pad site work and concrete piers are installed as the footprint for our new main building.
- Underground utilities and form work is in progress.
Exciting plans are underway for the new Krasoff Jewish Family Service Building. Keep an eye out for more information in our next progress update.
New Building Construction Begins, and Aquatics Center, Tennis Courts and Locker Rooms Moving Ahead
March 22, 2021
Spring is here and Passover is around the corner and we are excited to report on the progress we are making on our new facilities.
- Phase 1 is progressing well. All demolition has been completed and the new pools are being formed for the Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center.
- The building pad has been installed for the Hurt Family Tennis Center.
- Locker rooms have been demoed and the designs for the new ones have been finalized.
- For phase 2 of construction, all building permits have been approved.
- The pad for the new building is complete and we have started drilling piers.
New Aquatics Center, Tennis Center, Locker Rooms Underway
January 29, 2021
We are starting 2021 with incredible progress on our new facilities. With each day, we take steps forward toward building the campus of our dreams that this community has helped us achieve!
- Phase 1 design is complete, permits have been issued, and construction is in progress.
- We received our site development permit.
- For phase 2 of construction, 75% of construction documents have been issued and the building permit is under review.
- The pool mechanical building, both pools, playgrounds, Welcome Desk and locker rooms are completely demoed.
- The pool deck concrete has been removed making way for major upgrades with the new Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center.
- The earthwork for the new Hurt Family Tennis Center has begun!
December 2020 Construction Update
December 29, 2020
Have you seen the hard hats and neon vests when you are working out? That’s right – Generations is in full swing! Each month, Construction Janet will share a special construction peak in the Fitness Insider. Here are photos of our former Welcome Desk and pool.
Construction Begins on the Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center
November 2, 2020
As a necessary step to begin construction on our exciting new Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center, we will close the pool beginning Monday, November 2, 2020 until summer 2021. The fitness center and Gan Yaniv Nature Trail will remain open during this time, and we hope to see you there!
By next summer, young families will be playing in our new activities pool with spray features, dumping buckets, water tables and slides. Older children and adventurous adults will enjoy two additional large slides. The new main pool will have a much larger shallow area and the ability to rotate lap swimming directions. A new snack bar stocked with food from local vendors will have something for everyone so families and friends can spend the day at the pool.
New Entrance Due to Construction
November 2, 2020
During construction, beginning November 2, we will have a new entrance for the fitness center through the main JCC doors by the flag poles. As indicated on the map below, the new entrance will have two separate walkways to ensure adult JCC members and children enter safely and keep socially distant from other members and children who will be sharing the walkway. Please follow the signs and enter on the left side of the walkway straight into the main JCC doors. The right side is reserved for youth program access.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
October 25, 2020
The Shalom Austin Generations Campaign groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 honored the life and legacy of Judy Waxman, Generations Campaign co-chair. A pillar of the Jewish and Greater Austin community, Waxman was named Woman of Valor in 2015. New designs were revealed.
Featured speakers and remarks included:
- Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Shalom Austin CEO
- Shalom Austin Board Chair Abby Rapoport
- Keith Zimmerman, Generations co-chair
- Harriett Kirsh Pozen, Former Generations Campaign director
- Janet S. Elam, Shalom Austin COO
- Austin Mayor Steve Adler
- District 10 Council Member Alison Alter
ECP Refresh Underway
August 1, 2020
We have been hard at work this summer making progress toward building the campus of our dreams and having it ready by the time we are able to safely convene once again. The Generations project has commenced, and we have started with refreshing our Early Childhood Program preschool, the Zeifman Family Early Childhood Center, to create a new modern and safe space for our children to learn and grow. The funds raised from your generous contributions to the Generations Campaign have been designated for refreshing and building our future facilities, and we are excited that this project is underway. Learn more about the ECP Refresh in The Jewish Outlook.
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