After a spell of damp and dreary weather, the morning of October 8^th brought the warmth and sunshine of a brilliant fall morning. At Congregation Beth Emeth children and parents were arriving for the 9:00 a.m. start of Sunday school. At the same time clergy, congregants, neighbors, and dignitaries were filling the courtyard for the groundbreaking ceremony that would officially begin Beth Emeth’s multi-million dollar renovation and expansion project. Before the start of classes and Succot projects, Beth Emeth’s youngsters also assembled in the courtyard. Their presence was more than a symbolic reminder that the Congregation is building for the future. They actively participated in the ceremony and fourth generation Beth Emeth children Stacey and Jeff Kreston and Max Mineo joined Temple leaders in turning up the soil in what will become the Schenker Holocaust Memorial Garden at Beth Emeth.

 Rabbi Grumbacher created a very moving ceremony for the occasion. It began with the singing of Hinei Mah Tov (“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for us to join together in unity”). Then readers, who would later wield the shovels, spoke briefly of the vision of Beth Emeth’s first builders, the dedication of the generations that followed them, the festival of Succot as a reminder of God’s blessings, and the new school, sanctuary, and social hall that would result from this new construction. The congregation responded to each reader giving thanks and affirming that “Tomorrow we will remember this day.”

   Next on the program, Senator Carper, Mayor Baker, and State Treasurer Markell each spoke briefly. The senator spoke as a neighbor who lives very near the Temple. He put everyone at ease with his good natured humor. “Please, everyone, remain standing.” Mayor Baker spoke as a community leader who took pride in the contributions of our Congregation to the larger community, and Treasurer Jack Markell spoke as a member of Beth Emeth. All three had a common theme: may Beth Emeth continue to enjoy God’s blessings as it enters its next hundred years. May it continue to inspire acts of goodness throughout our community.

 The ceremony concluded with the actual groundbreaking as those with shovels formed a small semi-circle and drove their shovels into the earth. Then everyone sang Shehechianu – Our Prayer of Thanks. There were warm handshakes and hugs. Rabbi Sarah Messinger directed the children to their classes and projects (Tomorrow they would remember this day). There were a few moist cheeks and people drifted out into the parking lot almost reluctantly. The whole thing was over in half an hour, but everyone there knew they had just become a part of Beth Emeth history.

Of course, the real digging was slated to begin a few days later and it will continue for some time. The project is designed to be completed in phases. The first phase will add a new wing of classrooms with movable walls that can open when needed to create larger educational spaces. They will be modern and equipped for the electronic age. The kitchen will be enlarged and modernized and a new storage area will be added. The courtyard will be enclosed by the new school wing, and will contain a walk dedicated to Righteous Gentiles as well as the Schenker Holocaust Memorial Garden.

New Judaica shop, teachers’ workroom, lounge, library and board rooms are also planned. The exterior will be beautified and the parking facilities will be redone and enlarged.

Phase II will include the complete renovation of the sanctuary and social hall. Everything will be carefully planned to avoid major inconveniences to the congregation, but construction will be ongoing for at least two years. The Capital Campaign to raise the funds for construction is still in progress so that the third and final phase of the building can be undertaken. This would renovate and centralize the office areas of the Temple, improve restrooms, create a quiet observation room, a meditation area, and make other interior improvements.

This will be the most extensive building project for Beth Emeth since its present home on Lea Boulevard was erected more than fifty years ago. No wonder those who attended and participated in this groundbreaking were moved as they realized the importance of this special morning in early October. As they responded at the ceremony, “Tomorrow we will remember this day.”