Large crowd turns out to celebrate Dwares JCC’s reopening

PROVIDENCE – It was a festive celebration for all ages as the Alliance’s Dwares JCC officially reopened on May 24.

Visitors streamed into the newly renovated building at 5 p.m., excitedly anticipating a talk by Nate Ebner, a special teams player on the New England Patriots and a U.S. Olympics rugby player. Upstairs, in the Sapinsley Family Gymnasium, a bounce house and games entertained young children.

When Ebner arrived, everyone gathered around to hear him talk about his Jewish journey and answer questions. Ebner, who grew up in Ohio, spoke about the importance of institutions like the JCC in his early life, and how his family made Sunday School a priority (his father was the local principal).

Ebner said it was his family that kept his Judaism strong, and allowed him to get to where he is today.

In the Salmanson Family Upper Lobby, adults arriving for the dedication ceremony were abuzz about the bright, welcoming renovated lobby. All seemed to agree that the improvement was tremendous and is a dramatic contrast to the former space.

There was a lot of schmoozing leading up to the formal dedication and the mounting of the mezuzah. In fact, the approximately 250 people in attendance spilled over into the Richard and Sandra Bornstein Entry Way and the Lower Lobby, making this one of the largest gatherings in the building in recent memory. The crowd was a mix of donors, community dignitaries and others interested in getting a glimpse of the spruced-up building.

After remarks by Jeffrey Savit, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, and prayers, Harold Foster, chairman of the Facilities committee, affixed the mezuzah to the doorpost.

Bonnie and Donald Dwares, who several years ago initiated the efforts that would result in the renovated building, led the ribbon-cutting that marked the official reopening of the Dwares JCC.  

Mitzi Berkelhammer, chair of the board of the Alliance, thanked all who participated in the renovations, and Rabbi Leslie Gutterman offered his remarks. Savit thanked the “more than 400 donors, fiduciaries, volunteers and professionals who made this community dream become a stunning reality.”

Renovations to the JCC will continue this summer.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of The Jewish Voice.