Newton, MA JCC Greater Boston (JCC), the region’s largest Jewish provider of programs geared toward health and wellness, family, early education, art, and culture, officially broke ground on a $5 million first-floor renovation to enhance the experience of the JCC’s members, staff, guests, and Greater Boston community. Once completed, the 11,008 s/f project will deliver new seating, a teen lounge, upgraded security features, and a reimagined J Café with fast-casual dining options in a fresh, modern setting.

JCC Greater Boston tapped Margulies-Perruzzi to lead the design of the historic building’s main entrance and front lobby renovation. The full project, which will transform the first floor from the front desk through the J Café, will begin construction in December and include the following elements:

• A brand-new front entrance and reception desk;

• Upgrades to the JCC’s physical security infrastructure;

• Updated first-floor bathrooms;

• A fully refurbished lobby totaling 5,730 s/f, featuring multiple communal seating areas and a fresh, contemporary design;

• A new, 475 s/f teen lounge with multi-use seating and tables, flat-screen TVs, and modern design elements befitting a dynamic hangout space for teen members to get work done, hang out, and participate in dedicated JCC programs;

• A reimagined J-Café offering a variety of grab-and-go food options; and

• New flooring and paint to refresh the areas immediately surrounding the basketball gym.

The major project milestone coincides with the 40^th anniversary of the Leventhal-Sidman JCC campus, which first opened its doors on October 2, 1983. In the four decades since, the JCC has become a lively hub for inclusive, Jewish life and community for individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds.

“This milestone anniversary represents not just the strength and sustainability of the JCC, but our impact on generations of individuals and families in Greater Boston, and the enduring relevance of our mission of service to the community,” said JCC Greater Boston president and CEO, Lily Rabinoff-Goldman. “Marking the occasion of our 40^th anniversary by breaking ground on this exciting renovation is a wonderfully fitting physical representation of the start of our next chapter, and our unwavering dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our community for decades to come.”

Over the years, the Leventhal-Sidman JCC has undergone significant renovations to ensure the center’s longevity and improve the member experience while maintaining the unique history and legacy of the building. Most recently, in 2019 the JCC completed a major overhaul of its fitness center, locker rooms, and Family Wing, delivering health and wellness facilities, a dynamic indoor play space, and multiple community rooms for childcare, adult enrichment classes, and other program uses. In 2023, the JCC introduced JWork, its dedicated suite of flexible and convenient coworking space, as its newest member benefit, which has quickly become a favorite amenity within the community.

“The past 40 years of the Leventhal-Sidman JCC have been built day by day, brick by brick, by the work of many hands and a shared vision for a thriving, vibrant, and emerging Jewish community, held together by real relationships and care for one another,” added Rabinoff-Goldman. “We are thrilled to be celebrating everything that has led us to this moment, and our hopes and goals for the next several years of innovation, excellence, and growth for our organization and community.”