Building Lives. The Project for Wilshire Boulevard Temple

Now spanning a 3.9-acre city block, the site plan for the redevelopment and restoration of the historic campus of Wilshire Boulevard Temple was approved by the Board of Trustees at their January, 2010 meeting. With master plan complete, agreement has been reached by the Board on the phasing of the project, with work to begin in the Sanctuary after High Holy Days in 2011.

It is anticipated that the sanctuary will be closed an estimated 18-24 months and reopen for High Holy Days in 2013. Historic restoration will also include life and safety upgrades to Piness Auditorium and Stalford Hall as well as new heating and cooling systems. Future phases include:

- Restoration of the historic school building
- New construction of a four-story school building to house the Erika Glazer Early Childhood Center as well as the initial classes of Brawerman Elementary School East.
- Restoration of Piness Auditorium and Stalford Hall
- A six-story parking structure featuring a rooftop playground along 6th street which will house the Karsh Family Tikkun Olam Center.

With clear vision and enthusiasm, we move forward with this historic project; revitalizing our beloved Temple Campus, reaching out to our Wilshire Center community, and building lives.

It was a Shabbat we won't soon forget. On Friday, March 6, 2009, we dedicated our new early childhood center in honor of philanthropist Erika Glazer.

The morning began in Meitus Hall as children, parents, and other honored guests arrived early to enjoy bagels, blintzes, coffee and conversation in a pre-Shabbat service breakfast gathering. Next, the group moved to Factor Chapel to hear a warm welcome from Carol Bovill, the Temple's Early Childhood Centers Director. Rabbi Steve Leder followed, introducing Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and representatives from the L.A. City Council who presented Erika with a commendation.

Temple Board President Julie Miller expressed the congregation's deepest gratitude as she presented Erika with a gift of artwork and a photo album created especially for her by the children. To an enthusiastic audience of ECC families, Trustees and staff, as well as her father, Guil Glazer, Erika reminded us all that "the most important part of our heritage is educating our kids." And then it was time to sing.

The happiness of the occasion was clearly evident as Rabbi Leder concluded the Shabbat service and led the group downstairs where Erika hung mezuzot upon the doors of the new classrooms. The mezuzot were specially made at the 90th birthday party of congregant Bernie Harris for this very purpose.

The group moved outside to a beautiful Southern California morning to watch Erika officially open the playground by cutting a royal blue ribbon. With the dedication of the Erika J. Glazer Early Childhood Center complete, it was time to play as dozens of children joyfully took to the slides, swings and climbing structures.