The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life
The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg will shift its business model following a determination that the development of the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life is “not viable,” per an open letter sent to the Harrisburg Jewish community Friday.
Signed by Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, the letter said the Grass campus must be “quickly and comprehensively addressed to ensure a vibrant future for flourishing Jewish life in Harrisburg.”
“Last evening, at our suggestion, the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg voted to create a Transition Committee and give it the authority to make the difficult decisions and take the actions necessary to address the situation,” Fingerhut wrote.
He said the committee is made up of a “group of knowledgeable and experienced community leaders who understand the seriousness of the situation and have volunteered to help in this challenging moment” and will be led by Marc Terrill, who spent 25 years as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
“The Transition Committee is committed to working quickly, transparently and with the best interest of the community in mind,” wrote Fingerhut. “They will communicate regularly to keep you updated on their progress and their decisions. I know they will seek and value your input.”
The letter also acknowledged the impact of recent closures, which it said will be “fully addressed” by the transition committee as well with full reports.
The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life
Earlier this month, the Federation announced it could only ensure its Brenner Family Early Learning Center (a preschool and daycare) would remain open until May 1. The announcement upset parents, who were given roughly two weeks to find alternate care for their children.
On Tuesday earlier this week, the Federation announced it would close its gym, the Symons Family Fitness Center, and cease its health and wellness programs, “effective immediately.”
Both the day school and gym updates were signed by Steven Roth and Zach Benjamin, who are the chairman and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg Board, respectively.
In early February, Roth and Benjamin had also signed an email to community members asking for donations from “everyone who can afford to pledge funds” in light of financial troubles.
“There is a very real risk that our current financial situation will disrupt not only our work, but also the work of the organizations that serve the community on our campus,” said the email, signed by Benjamin and Roth.
“Without swift action, essential groups such as the JCC’s Brenner Family Early Learning Center, Jewish Family Service and The Silver Academy may not be able to continue operating as usual,” the letter had continued. “The ability to access and utilize the Symons Family Fitness Center and other amenities will also be placed in jeopardy.”
The federation bought the site of the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, a six-acre campus, in April 2022 for $4.56 million from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Prior, the Federation’s former site was a 69,000-square-foot property at 3301 N. Front St., which it sold late last year to the Al-Huda School for $1.1 million.
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