Mittleman Jewish Community Center at the Schnitzer Family Campus
Updates for our MJCC donors and supporters
Fall Newsletter 2019
6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 | 503.244.0111 | oregonjcc.org
Our Comprehensive Campus Vision
New Partnership with Cascadia Clusters
One of the major objectives that is outlined in the MJCC’s new strategic plan is the creation of a campus plan to identify and address the short and long-term facility needs of both the MJCC and Portland Jewish Academy. This summer, we launched the effort to develop a comprehensive campus plan. The Working Group that is leading this effort includes members of the Board of Directors, as well as members of the leadership teams at PJA and the MJCC.
The MJCC has entered into a partnership with Cascadia Clusters, a non-profit that builds tiny houses to help address homelessness in Portland and around Oregon. Cascadia Clusters has signed a three-year agreement to sublease a portion of the property north of the soccer field that is leased by the MJCC from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. The MJCC will continue to use the playing field for camp, sports, and recreational programs.
The Working Group is led by Brian Carleton of Carleton Hart Architecture. (Brian designed the PJA Learning Commons and the Community Mikvah; he is also a member of the Facilities Committee, a former Board member, and a PJA alum parent.) The group began by identifying a number of broad goals for the plan which include, in part: • Strengthen our identity as the hub of Jewish life in Portland • Provide a state-of-the-art facility that is attractive and competitive in the community • Provide adequate space for Jewish education for adults and youth year round • Ensure broad appeal and access to all ages and demographics • Provide more integration of the indoor and outdoor environments In addition, the Working Group has identified Guiding Principles for the Campus Plan, the challenges and constraints that are imposed by the current facility, and opportunities for expansion, renovation, and repurposing space. The group is also identifying members of a larger Stakeholders Committee to support this process, especially as we move into the stage of developing plan concepts.
Jordan Schnitzer has generously offered a $50,000 matching grant to cover the costs of the development of the Campus Plan. We have begun raising the $25,000 that the MJCC must contribute toward this effort. If you are interested in making a gift to support the Campus Plan, please contact Steve Albert at salbert@oregonjcc.org or at 503.535.3592.
Cascadia Clusters trains homeless individuals in residential construction so the individuals building the tiny houses are both working to provide transitional housing and learning a trade. Once complete, the tiny houses are relocated to villages such as Hazelnut Grove, with a community washhouse and kitchen. Cascadia Clusters has partnered with other Jewish organizations in our community, including Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Neveh Shalom and Tivnu – the Jewish Gap Year program. Their new site on the MJCC’s campus will provide numerous additional opportunities for PJA students, MJCC members, and members of the broader community to engage in meaningful volunteer work. Beginning this fall, Cascadia Clusters will offer open volunteer hours, which will be widely publicized by the MJCC.