Hebrew Academy’s Vision 2020 campaign on schedule

BECKY RASPE | SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF REPORTER braspe@cjn.org | @BeckyRaspeCJN

Hebrew Academy of Cleveland’s Vision 20/20 capital campaign, which calls for a new early childhood and elementary school on the former Oakwood Country Club property in Cleveland Heights, is developing as planned.

With a 2020 goal of completion, Rabbi Simcha Dessler, educational director of Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, said the project is moving according to plan. Phase one included repurposing the former Oakwood Country Club’s clubhouse.

“Much effort and energy has been expended to successfully maintain the architectural grandeur of the historic building while simultaneously making the clubhouse adaptable to the growing needs of the school,” Dessler explained. “The clubhouse, which is a gift that keeps on giving because of its potential, was transformed into magnificent kindergarten, junior high and high school wings, an auditorium, science and technology labs, sports facilities and business offices. We’re absolutely delighted with the results of phase one of the academy’s Vision 20/20 campaign.”

The state-of-the-art project also includes a 130,000-square-foot building, two multipurpose fields, a baseball field, playgrounds and a parking lot.

“This is an exciting time at the academy,” Dessler said. “With the incredible growth of the school, we are completely out of space and thus we are currently in design and fundraising mode. Although it is a tight schedule, the target date for the completion of the elementary school and early childhood facilities is still the fall of 2020. The success of the project, as always, will require the support of the broader community.”

Hebrew Academy of Cleveland purchased the 90-acre Cleveland Heights portion of the former Oakwood Country Club, which closed in 2010, from First Interstate Properties of Lyndhurst in

March 2014.

Hebrew Academy has schools in Cleveland Heights and Beachwood.