6. "NER ORRE” COMMUNITY CENTRE

In 2003,by which time the Synagogue membership had grown to over 1500 members, the then Chairman of the Board of Management , Mr Sam Kuperberg, conceived the building of a new multi-purpose Community Centre, to replace the Communal Hall in Brockenhurst Gardens (now having outlived its originally projected life by 100% ) and to provide adequate space not only for our vastly increased membership ,but also for further Communal development in the years ahead.

He asked Mr Jeffrey Pinnick, to once again take on the role of Project Co-ordinator. The Board chose a firm of local Architects and settled on the concept of a uniquely designed, octagonal shaped building. This would comprise a replacement for the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall, which would seat 240 people for a dinner function and over 600 for supplementary High Holyday services on the upper ground floor, and a second hall/multi-variable room facility on the lower ground floor, for meetings, classrooms, youth activities etc. The total cost of the project was in excess of £3m. 

In 2006, the United Synagogue was once again approached to provide the funding for the development, but on this third occasion, were constrained into only being able to advance a loan equal to the sum pledged and paid by Synagogue members. A major fund-raising programme was initiated under Mr Kuperberg’s Chairmanship and continued by successor Chairmen, namely Mr John Krieger, Mr Jerome Reback and finally Mr Michael Goldstein. Eventually, after enduring lengthy delays in the planning process and the effects of economic recession, the necessary funds and pledges were raised, building work commenced and final completion of this magnificent project achieved early in 2013.
 

To acknowledge the decision to go ahead with the redevelopment of the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held. You can see photos of this event below:

The video below is from November 2012 when chairman Michael Goldstein presented a tour around the construction site of the Ner Orre Community Centre, which includes the new Annie & Samuel Levy Hall.

Here are some photos of the redevelopment project:
 

 

On 10th March 2013, ”The Ner Orre Community Centre”, was endowed by long-standing members Mr and Mrs Stanley Davis and incorporated the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall (re-endowed by Lord Levy), providing a magnificent Function Hall facility; a Synagogue facility for the High Holydays; and kitchens on the first floor, with multi-purpose meeting rooms, kindergarten and classrooms and kitchens on the lower floor. 

 

Rt Hon Tony Blair and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Taub officially opened our Ner Orre Community Centre and The Annie & Samuel Levy Hall at a special opening ceremony that took place on Monday 11 March 2013.
A full report is available here.




Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet introduced special guest Rt Hon Tony Blair:
 

 

Time lapse photography recording the final preparations and the opening events of the Ner Orre Community Centre.
The accompanying music is performed by the Neimah Singers and soloists from the opening ceremony.


 

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