Just as their counterparts did 41 years ago, members of Salt Lake City's Jewish community today faced the same problems and naysayers.
And, like their pioneers in 1959 who established the Jewish Community Center at 1700 S. Foothill Drive, they overcame those obstacles and made history Sunday with the groundbreaking of the I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center.With four decades of past presidents in attendance, the new facility, which is the old Fort Douglas Country Club, 2 N. Medical Drive (1755 East), will be transformed over time into a center for recreation, education and family and civic events for all denominations.
"In the days to come, a dozen or 40 or 50 years from now, there will be good people who will honor us for our determination for our purpose. It was true 40 years ago, and it is true today. We made history then, and we're going to make history now," past president Joel Shapiro said.
"What we dreamed and worked for is neither too big nor too grandiose nor too expensive. What we're doing now is correct. What we're doing now is necessary. What we're doing now is far seeing, and what we're doing now is intelligent. We're here to break ground on a forward-looking vision."
This fall, the community will see a physical transformation take place at all sites -- the Fort Douglas Country Club, the James L. White Jewish Community Center and the Congregation Kol Ami.
The Jewish Center has raised $9 million in donations and pledges, but it has established the goal to raise $3 million more to complete the plans at those sites.
The fort will evolve in to a full-service community center with the addition of an early childhood center, gymnasium, tennis courts and other fitness facilities.
The new early childhood center is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by September 2000.
The existing building will also be renovated to provide offices, meeting rooms and easier access throughout the entire facility.
The site of the JCC on Foothill will become the JCC Elementary and Middle School with an anticipated September 2001 opening.
Currently, the elementary school accommodates 95 students K-6 and is "bursting at the seams," said Joanne Slotnik of the JCC and Elementary School Boards. It will expand to house middle school students also.
At Congregation Kol Ami, renovation and additions will include a youth wing, additional classrooms, kitchen expansions and mikvah, or purifying bath.
"Today we are not dedicating a temple, we're not dedicating a synagogue, but we are committing ourselves to the future of this community," Cantor Laurence Loeb of Congregation Kol Ami said.
"Let us hope and pray what we are about to begin will be a house of study, a house of fellowship for all the community -- a place where we come together and build and enjoy ourselves and our friendships together."