Here We Grow! — The Campaign for Our Future

Many areas of our campus have not been significantly upgraded in decades, with some facilities over 40 years old, and current spaces can no longer accommodate our growing community. To address this, the Here We Grow! campaign outlines a comprehensive, two-phase master plan to rebuild and modernize our entire campus footprint.

During Phase I, we will transform our existing Center for Jewish Life campus to make our spaces more functional, accessible, and secure. Key updates include a redesigned multifunctional ballroom, a renovated Center entrance and Museum, reimagined outdoor gardens and play areas, campus-wide security fencing and security suite upgrades, and a state-of-the-art kosher kitchen to support student meals and community events.

In Phase II, which is set to break ground in 2027, we will begin construction of an entirely new Gordon School campus. This phase will deliver a modern three-story, 93,000-square-foot school featuring 40 smart classrooms, a Media Center, a STEAM Innovation Lab, a Music Lab, and a new dedicated parking garage, significantly expanding capacity to eliminate student waitlists.

The total project budget is estimated at $50 million. This goal reflects the full scope of our planned campus expansion, including architectural design, construction, site improvements, furnishings, and related project costs. Detailed sub-budget breakdowns and progress updates will be shared transparently as campaign milestones are reached and the final cost projections have been determined.

Yes. We are proud to report 100% participation from our Board of Directors, campaign leadership, and committee members. In addition, several prominent community donors and corporate partners have already committed early and in-kind support, including pro bono legal counsel provided by Greenberg Traurig.

This campaign builds directly upon our earlier vision. Originally launched in 2020, the project was paused by leadership due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid shifts in construction costs. Taking a step back allowed us to reassess the most responsible and sustainable pathway forward. After thoughtful conversations and counsel with community leaders, donors, architects, city officials, and project managers, we redesigned this campaign into Here We Grow!, ensuring we can meet our current and future needs while reducing obstacles to design, cost, and construction.

All prior commitments paid toward this project have gone directly to necessary foundational work that made our current relaunch possible. This includes behind-the-scenes efforts with our building team to obtain site plans, construction drawings, permitting, city and county approvals, as well as early Phase I improvements like administrative office remodels and start-up costs for our ballroom renovations.

The campaign has been carefully planned with flexible timelines and phased implementation so that progress can continue responsibly as funds are raised.

The Center’s goal is to fund as much of the project as possible through philanthropic support. To ensure fiscal responsibility, the campaign is structured in flexible phases. Construction will progress as funding milestones are secured, and limited financing will only be used strategically if necessary.

Campaign funds are managed through the Center’s established financial oversight processes and monitored by leadership and our Finance Committee to ensure transparency and responsible stewardship.

The decision followed extensive planning, consultation with community leadership and donors, and careful evaluation of the Center’s future needs and growth.

The campaign strategy adheres to best practices and early leadership commitments. Gifts from individuals, families, foundations, and community partners will make the project possible.

The campaign is led by a dedicated team of staff, volunteer leaders, board members, and community supporters working alongside Center leadership and professional advisors. Click here to learn more about our leadership team.

The Center and Miami’s Jewish community have grown significantly over the past decade. Our current facilities limit the range of programs and opportunities we can offer, creating extended waitlists at the Gordon School and preventing us from hosting larger, community-wide gatherings and events. Expanding now ensures the Center can meet the immediate demand of our growing population, while securing space for future generations.

Excellent question. Both are vital for the Center’s health. Capital campaign gifts fund long-term physical expansion and infrastructure, while annual fund contributions sustain the programs, operations, and services that make up our yearly operating budget.

The campaign is designed specifically to fund capital improvements, allowing the Center to continue its programs and operations without disruption. We are grateful to our supporters who continue to give to our annual fund while making their pledge to the capital campaign.

We do not anticipate the campaign impacting tuition costs or scholarships. In accordance with best practices, the Gordon School will continue to assess tuition rates on a yearly basis, and families may anticipate tuition increases that align with local standards to maintain exceptional quality and value to our families. The expanded student capacity will ultimately help distribute overhead costs across a broader base, helping maintain long-term affordability.

The expanded campus elevates our facilities to support both immediate community demand and long-term generational growth. Upgrades to our ballroom and event spaces will re-establish the Center as Miami’s premier venue for life cycle celebrations, film festivals, and large-scale Jewish community gatherings. For Gordon School students, these versatile spaces, alongside a modernized Traurig Hall, provide much-needed indoor recreation and activity areas during the school day. The project has been engineered with long-term sustainability and future growth in mind, with the ability to serve the next generation of Jewish families in Miami.

The expansion will allow the Center to enhance educational programming, host larger community gatherings, and provide modern spaces designed to support children, families, and community life.

The new Gordon School building will feature spacious, light-filled classrooms equipped with abundant storage, accessible restrooms, elevators, and full ADA compliance. Educational spaces will include:

• Dedicated specialty rooms for Art, Music & Chorus, Science, Judaic Studies, and Spanish Language, and more
• A multi-age outdoor playground system
• A central cafeteria served by our new on-site kosher kitchen
• Fully integrated security infrastructure built directly into the facility design

There is no minimum gift. Contributions of all sizes are meaningful and help make this exciting next chapter for the Center and the new Gordon School possible. All of us, from the board to our committee volunteers, are committed to making a gift of personal significance to help bring this vision to life.

Yes, gifts to the Center are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Contributions may be made through cash gifts, pledges, securities, donor-advised funds, and other charitable vehicles.

Donors will be recognized in meaningful ways throughout the campaign, including opportunities for public acknowledgment and permanent recognition within the new campus. All supporters are welcome to make their gift anonymously.

Yes. Naming opportunities will be available for certain spaces and features within the new campus to honor the generosity of donors and families. View our giving catalog here.

Yes. Many donors choose to make their gift to honor the memory of a loved one through a lasting tribute, or to bring family members together around a naming opportunity that establishes a legacy on campus for generations to come.

Yes. Donors may choose to fulfill their commitment through multi-year pledges, allowing them to make a larger impact over time. The Center welcomes 3 to 5-year pledges, which can be paid in monthly, quarterly, or yearly installments. Contact Lisset Chavez (lchavez@centerbd.org) to learn more.

Yes. The Center welcomes a variety of gifts and can assist donors in structuring gifts in the way that best aligns with their philanthropic goals. Contact Lisset Chavez (lchavez@centerbd.org) to learn more.

Absolutely. Corporate and foundation gifts are an important part of many capital campaigns and help strengthen community partnerships. Please click here for our most updated Giving Catalog, which provides some of the ways your company or foundation can help directly support the campaign. We also welcome you to reach out about opportunities not included here.

We’re so glad to hear it! We need YOU to bring this vision to life. There are many ways to participate, including making a gift, introducing others to the campaign, volunteering, or helping share the vision with the broader community. Contact Lisset Chavez (lchavez@centerbd.org) to learn more.

Construction for Phase I began on June 1, 2026. We will begin Phase II, breaking ground for the new Gordon School campus, once final planning approvals and funding milestones are in place. Updates will be shared with the community as the project timeline progresses.

While final timelines depend on permitting and construction scheduling, the project is expected to take place over multiple phases to ensure careful execution. We anticipate Phase I will be completed by Summer 2027. We are striving to open the doors of our new Gordon School in 2029.

Absolutely. Programming and daily operations will continue uninterrupted throughout construction. Our dedicated Transitions Committee will manage all operational adjustments and share routine updates to ensure safety and program continuity.

Some activities may temporarily shift locations within the campus or nearby spaces during construction phases, but programming will continue.

To minimize disruption and keep progress moving, construction is divided into two distinct phases. We plan to complete Phase I before the groundbreaking of Phase II. Phase II will similarly be broken down into smaller phases, which we will share with the community as the timeline becomes final.

We anticipate that Phase II will conclude by Summer 2029.

Some temporary parking adjustments will occur during construction. Plans for new traffic and parking flows are currently underway to ensure the least disruptive course of action possible. Our Transitions Committee will share routine updates to keep the community informed. The completed campus will include improved parking and traffic flow.

Yes. Updated procedures will be implemented as needed during construction and will ultimately improve daily arrival and dismissal routines. Please stay tuned for updates from our Transitions Committee.

Traffic flow planning has been incorporated into the project design to improve safety and efficiency during peak hours. We will share those details here and in future communications as final traffic planning is completed.

Strict safety protocols will be followed, including the use of secure construction areas and coordination with school and community operations. We are planning to scale our security team to align with increased traffic. This is of paramount importance to our campaign leadership.

Community members are encouraged to contact the Center’s campaign team with any questions. Updates will also be shared regularly as the campaign and construction progress. If you would like to learn more and get updates for our campaign, email Lisset Chavez (lchavez@centerbd.org) for any additional questions or comments.