Acella Construction Corp. breaks ground on $1.2 million Temple Beth Zion

Brookline, MA Acella Construction Corporation is providing construction management services for Temple Beth Zion (TBZ). Groundbreaking at the site took place in November.

The $1.2 million project will involve completely renovating the existing third floor to create the Reb Moshe and Anne Waldoks Lifelong Learning Center (named after them in honor of their many years of dedication, care, creativity, and commitment to the TBZ community) with modern classrooms and meeting rooms that will be used by both children and adults to study, share and grow. Additionally, a lift to the third floor and a handicap accessible restroom will be added, improving overall accessibility. Renovations will also be completed to upgrade the lobbies of the ground floor and second floor, and the three main front doors will be replaced to provide upgraded security and create a more welcoming entryway.

Additional construction aspects include replacement of six large windows in the Sanctuary, upgrades to the restrooms and coat rooms on both the ground and second floors, refurbishment and repainting of both stairwells, and a variety of other essential repairs and updates.

Temple Beth Zion is an independent, inclusive Jewish congregation whose members of all ages are committed to each other, to joyful participatory worship, to meaningful Jewish learning, spiritual growth and acts of social justice. The community inspires spiritual searching, lifts the soul, challenges the mind, and requires social responsibility and action.

Steven Greenberg, interim executive director at TBZ, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the commencement of our construction project. These ideas have been a long time in the planning stages, and it is exciting to think that we will soon begin to see physical changes and marked improvements to our space, for the use and enjoyment of our entire community.”

This project adds to the long list of historical renovations of religious spaces by Acella, and the company was selected for the project in part based on its extensive experience with historic buildings and religious clients. The construction management firm is currently working onHingham Historical Society’s Old Derby Academy / Hingham Heritage Museum and Hingham Congregational Church, and has also completed projects for St. Luke’s Church in Scituate, Espirito Santo Catholic Church in Fall River and St. Gerard Majella Church in Canton.

The architect on the project is Leslie Saul & Associates of Cambridge. Scott Brash is serving as the project manager for Acella. The project is expected to be completed in the spring.

“We are extremely excited by our plan to renovate the third floor of Temple Beth Zion to create a Lifelong Learning Center, as well as recognize the tremendous impact of Reb Moshe and Anne Waldoks on our community,” said Rav Claudia Kreiman. “We envision a completely new kind of space, served by a lift and handicapped accessible restroom, which will be used by both adults and children for learning ‘Torah’ in the broadest sense of the word. This fits into the highest goal of Temple Beth Zion: providing the space and opportunities for the intellectual and spiritual growth for all of our members.”

“Temple Beth Zion is an integral member of its community,” said Dave Dirubbo, president of Acella. “We are glad to have an opportunity to work on a project that is so valued by its members and that will make positive changes for the current and future users of this space.”

Founded in 2003, Acella delivers a premium suite of construction management services, including design-build and pre-construction solutions for business owners, commercial real estate developers, and discerning institutional and retail clients. From ground-up construction and new additions to complex interior renovations and tenant build-outs, Acella’s mission is to Build Better buildings, relationships and communities…one project at a time. Acella is located at 62 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA 02061. For more information, please visitwww.acellaconstruction.com  or call  781.681.9240.