Congregation Shearith Israel
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DAVID A. SEGAL FAMILY SIMCHA PLAY CENTER

Picture
Picture
About two years ago, our member Rachel Segal and close family friend Barry Borodkin approached us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate our growing young family and school communities, and to put our shul on the map in a brand-new way. They gave us the chance to design and build the playground of our dreams, fully-funded by their remarkable and extraordinary generosity. 
 
Rachel and Barry have spent countless hours working with Rabbi Shira Wallach, sharing their vision of an Eitz Chayim, a tree of life, that when planted and tended, fills its garden with untold riches. “Our children are our tree of life,” Rachel said. “We must bless them with best of what we have."
 
The image above is a rendering of the central tower of our new playground, designed by the company Kompan, with graphic panels by Israeli artist Eli Kaplan-Wildmann.

Imagine our front lawn as you walk toward the North entrance,  on your right you'll see a 30-plus foot tall climbing adventure, surrounded by play elements that encourage teamwork and friendship for all ages. We’ll build a space to share a festive meal that’s shaded for daytime and lit for nighttime. We’ll also dedicate a sacred space for prayer and learning, surrounded by an outdoor orchestra of musical instruments. In the area of our existing playground, we’ll build a playscape especially designed for our preschool-aged children. 
The drawing above is a sketch of Eli’s mural that will serve as a centerpiece to honor the David A. Segal Family Simcha Play Center. The central teaching, chanoch lana’ar al pi darko, reminds us to guide each child on their own path. That is to say— to honor the unique ways that each of our children learns, plays, and grows. 

We extend deep gratitude to Rachel and Barry, as well as to Staci Reznik, Sarah Davis, and our Director of Education, Sarah Lipinsky, for serving as Rabbi Wallach's creative partners. We also thank the Shearith Board of Directors and the Foundation Board for their invaluable insight and feedback to ensure that we take on this project with utmost fiscal responsibility. 
 
Shearith Israel President, Irving Prengler, says, "I don’t have to tell you what this will mean for our community. For years, we have been nurturing and growing our Family Center and School families, and these playgrounds will only deepen our ongoing commitment to celebrating each and every child and their grownups as they pursue sacred encounters in the context of our kehila kedosha, our holy community." 
 
Watch your email inboxes for more information in the coming weeks, including a complete 3D rendering of both playgrounds, and a save-the-date for our communal groundbreaking. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate!
© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • Help Wanted
    • Mission, Vision, Core Values
    • Contact Us
    • Our Congregation and History
    • Blog
    • Places >
      • Shul Locations
      • David A. Segal Family Simcha Play Center
      • Shearith Israel Cemeteries
      • Family Room
    • People >
      • Meet our Klei Kodesh
      • Meet our Staff
      • Meet our Lay Leadership
      • Shearith People
    • Communications >
      • The Shofar
      • Our Video Channel
      • Shearith Social Media
      • Evexia
      • Sign up for our emails!
  • Calendar
  • Connect
    • Study Guides >
      • Shabbat Morning Torah Study Guides
      • Thursdays with the Rabbis Study Guides
      • Women's Torah Study Materials
    • Travel to Israel with Shearith
    • Volunteer
    • Get in Touch
    • Groups >
      • 20s and 30s
      • College Connection
      • Shearith Singles 40+
      • Pillars: Hazak Community
      • Shearith Prime
      • Social Action
    • Family Center >
      • Family Center Program and Event Descriptions
      • Tiny Treasures
      • Family Shabbat Retreat
    • The Ladder Project >
      • Donors to The Ladder Project
    • Music at Shearith >
      • Shabbat Musical Experiences
      • Small-Waldman-Cohen Signature Series
      • Hazzan Zhrebker Music
      • Our Shearith Choirs
      • Service From the Heart Album
    • SISterhood >
      • SISterhood Programs and Events
      • Torah Fund
      • SISterhood Gallery Judaica Giftshop
      • SISterhood Board Forms
  • STREAM
  • GiVE
    • Make Your Donation
    • Annual Campaign
    • Shearith Foundation
  • Pray
    • Shabbat and Minyan Times and Liturgy
    • Alternative Prayer Experiences
    • Holidays >
      • High Holy Days
    • Shabbat Musical Experiences
    • Lifecycle >
      • Birth
      • B'nei Mitzvah >
        • Adult B'nei Mitzvah
      • Conversion
      • Wedding
      • End of Life >
        • End of Life Info
        • Shearith Israel Cemeteries
      • Passings/Yahrzeits
      • Shiva Minyan Liturgy
    • Misheberach (Healing)
    • Torah >
      • Torah and Haftarah Readings
      • Holiday Torah and Haftarah Readings
  • Learn
    • The Weitzman Family Religious School >
      • WFRS Registration
      • WFRS Curriculum
      • WFRS K- 7 Calendar
    • B'nei Mitzvah
    • Adult Learning Calendar >
      • Adult Learning Class Descriptions >
        • ScholarStream Classes
    • Kesher (Special Needs) Program
  • Membership
    • Become a Member >
      • Membership Brochure
    • Membership Portal
    • Update Your Membership Portal
    • Membership Directory
  • Foundation
    • Foundation Mission and Trustees
    • Foundation Gifting
    • Legacy Donors
  • The Gallery