For Sale
Every time I pass by the "For Sale" sign on the John Carroll Green Road Annex building, I feel a slight sense of nervousness, along with a bunch of “what-ifs”: What if we don’t get the building? What if someone else buys the building and will not renew our lease? What if the developer purchases the land? Will we be homeless? To where will JFX Shabbat services relocate? What about high holidays? Bar and bat mitzvahs?
It is all one big question mark.
Around 15 years ago, JFX began its search for a building. We tried to partner with practically every single synagogue in the Green-Cedar-Fairmount corridor. Ten years ago, when our family moved from Cleveland Heights to the Green Road area, and the need for our own space became more apparent, we found that space at 2200 South Green Road, recently purchased by John Carroll University.
The location was great, the size of the sanctuary, social hall and classrooms were perfect, but the building was dated, to put it mildly. Over the years, I have attempted to negotiate with the University for a long-term lease or a possibly even a lease with an option to buy. This would allow us to invest money into renovating the building to better suit our needs. Then Covid hit and everything changed. Suddenly the University was in a rush to sell the building, and five weeks ago the sign went up.
My approach to financing JFX expenses has admittedly always been fiscally unconventional. If there is a Jewish or spiritual need for our community, whether a Shabbaton, an Israel trip, or a Sunday School event, we plan it first and then strategize about how we will pay for it. Thank G-d, this has always worked out for us. I believe wholeheartedly that if we try our best to do the right thing, G-d will provide.
So when our building went up for sale, I immediately thought that we have two options: purchase the building, or wind up homeless. It was as simple as that. Our annual fundraiser is coming up soon in December, and I figured we would simply have to make it work. I put in a call to a fundraising coach that I have worked with over the years and told him that I need him to help me raise a lot more money this year than usual.
Then, out of the blue, something else happened. I was informed by the University that someone in the community would like to purchase the building. I called that person up and they were interested and even happy to renovate the building and then offer JFX the opportunity of a long-term lease. How could I turn down such an incredible offer?! It was truly heaven-sent. My job was to get out of G-d’s way and let Him send us the building.
At this point, all I can do is pray. But what to pray for? There are so many ways this could play out, and it’s hard to know in which part of the Shemonah Esray, that timeless Jewish prayer, to focus. Should I pray in the livelihood blessing for the financial ability to be able to either rent, renovate or purchase this building? Who knows? Perhaps this specific building is not G-d’s master plan for us. Maybe we are destined to find a different home when our current lease runs out in the summer. Maybe John Carroll will not sell, or maybe a different developer will buy.
Perhaps I should simply pray in the Torah blessing that G-d allows us to continue to teach and inspire to the best of our ability wherever and whenever the right place becomes. Maybe there is a different or even better plan be waiting for us out there somewhere.
As I try to puzzle that out, for now, we sit and pray and wait. We wait for things to fall into place exactly the way they were meant to be.
I have a personal request to ask of you, dear reader: If you have ever been inspired at a JFX service, class or event, please join us and say a meaningful, heartfelt prayer — wherever, whatever, and whenever — on our behalf, and may G-d answer all of our prayers! Amen!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Koval