Meyer L. Prentis, chairman of the Recreation Council of the Jewish Welfare Federation of Detroit, announces the breaking of ground and the beginning of excavation work for the construction of the new Jewish Center at Holbrook and Woodward Avenues. The two buildings on the property are to be remodeled, and joined with a lounge, and a combined auditorium and gymnasium is to be built in the rear. The building will provide complete recreational, cultural, and educational facilities for the Detroit Jewish community, and will house the new organization which is to result from the merger of the Jewish Centers Association, now at 31 Melbourne, and the Young Women’s Hebrew Association, at 89 Rowena. Street. Both organizations are members of the Jewish Welfare Federation, and are participants in the Detroit Community Fund. The money for the venture was raised and specifically earmarked for a Jewish Center in the 1930 Allied Jewish Campaign.
In contrast with the present shabby and inadequate buildings of the two agencies, the new Center will offer modern and complete athletic equipment, comfortable club and class rooms, large recreation quarters, and a kitchen and service pantry connected directly with the gymnasium which will also serve as an auditorium, seating approximately 700 people.
According to the plans, the present entrances will be closed, and a central entrance will lead directly to the lobby and offices, in the new one-story structure, which is to join the two buildings. Lounges for men and women, a large reception hall, and three club rooms will also be found on the first floor.
On the second floor there will be six meeting rooms, and a fair sized assembly hall. Above these will be a third floor, with five more meeting rooms. Game rooms will occupy the well-lighted and ventilated basement. All activities for the younger groups will be centered in one portion of the building. In the adjoining space there will be room for a standard basketball and tennis court, and a large playground.
The committee in control of the New Center consists of Meyer L. Prentis, chairman; Mrs. Regene Freund Cohane, Mrs. Joseph H. Ehrlich, Mrs. Samuel R. Glogower. Henry Meyers, Nate S. Shapero Mrs. Joseph M. Welt, and Kurt Peiser, secretary. This committee will have interim control, with full power to act, until such time as a new board of directors shall be elected. Jesse F. Hirschman is chairman of the building committee. Albert Kahn is the architect; Miss Ella Vera Feldman, director of the Y. W.H.A., will be acting director. It is hoped that the building will be ready for occupancy by October first.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
