Members of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Montpelier, Vermont begin rebuilding for a more stable, attractive, and energy efficient home. Left to right are Rabbi Tobi Weisman, Rabbi Shana Margolin, BJ Vice-President Barney Bloom, BJ President Eve Jacobs-Carnahan, and BJ Building Committee member Jonathan Herz. Photo courtesy Beth Jacob Synagogue A recent groundbreaking at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Montpelier held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of major renovations to the synagogue building which has been owned by the congregation since1914.

The front half of the synagogue, which houses the sanctuary, is undergoing a complete reconstruction that will make it more stable, attractive, and energy efficient according to synagogue a spokesperson.

Central Vermont’s only synagogue has a membership of 85 families and serves hundreds of Jews in the area. To date, more than 120 community members have contributed $350,000 toward the first phase of the project.

“We’ve been thrilled with the response, especially given the state of the economy,” said Eve Jacobs-Carnahan, the congregation’s president. “Many people who don’t belong to Beth Jacob are participating. They feel that it’s important to have a synagogue in the community.”

The congregation went through a year-long process to select possible new sites and reached a strong consensus to rebuild at its present spot, using the footprint of the existing building. “Many people are attached to this location,” said Jacobs-Carnahan. “After nearly one hundred years, we want to honor our history by staying put.”

Though the unaffiliated congregation has no full-time rabbi, two congregation members who are rabbis offered blessings as part of the groundbreaking.

The architect is Gossens Bachman Architects of Montpelier; the general contractor is Lajeunesse Construction of Barre. Work on this phase is expected to be complete by fall. Montpelier’s mayor, several legislators, and city council members were all in attendance.

The congregation hopes to raise another $280,000 to complete the second phase: a reconstruction of the back half of the building, which includes a room named for former Montpelier mayor Daughly Gould. “Once our renovations are completed,” Jacobs-Carnahan says, “we look forward to serving the greater community for years to come.”

Those interested in contributing or learning more about the project can contact Eve Jacobs- Carnahan at 223-4016. For more information, visit www.bethjacobvt.org