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Home > ABOUT US > New Building Project > Building Project FAQs

Building Project FAQs

PROJECT SCOPE

Q: Why and how are we planning for the building project?

A: Bet Torah has grown wonderfully in the past 10-15 years, and our building could better serve our community's needs. In 2022, we engaged architects KG&D to reimagine our building and provide options for how to optimize the spaces in and around our property.

In 2023 we started conversations about the fundraising process that would underpin a building project, in conjunction with the launch of the Bet Torah Foundation. In 2024 we invited the community to attend many small gatherings regarding our initial design and scope plans, and gathered input and feedback from many people reflecting a diverse group of demographics in the community.

At the same time, in 2024, we started the detailed design process, town planning and permitting.

In the summer and fall of 2025, we moved through the construction design and cost estimate phases. Fundraising has continued in conjunction with this planning and is ongoing. We will be breaking ground in January! 

Q: What is the construction scope?

A: The renovation will include four major projects:

  • A new playground with custom-designed playground equipment designed for children ages 2-7, an adjacent hardscape area with a basketball hoop, and all in a more secure location with appropriate fencing.
  • A new clergy suite, which we expect will allow us to continue to retain and attract the best clergy in perpetuity, and provide congregants a comfortable place to meet with clergy.
  • The renovation of the second floor to provide three new, modern, and flexible learning spaces for children and adults.
  • A new Sanctuary Hall space for gathering and learning.

In addition, we plan to create a streamlined main entrance designed to provide extra opportunities for connection, additional parking and increased Social Hall storage. Click here for the initial architect renderings to see how our spaces will be improved.

Q: What is the construction timeline?

A: The most disruptive construction is scheduled to start in January 2026 and we aim to finish the majority of the work by Fall 2026. We will of course work with our contractor to map out the general sequencing so that the building can remain open and functional throughout the building works, and we will share details as we have them.

January through June: Construction will take place at the Sanctuary entrance, the Clergy Suite and at the Bikes and Trikes area.

June through September: Construction will take place on the main entrance terrace area, the back playground, and inside by the second floor classrooms (the area where Nili’s office is/was).

We have some other smaller projects that will also take place during the 8 months and we will announce them as they are scheduled.

Q: What will be the impact on building access and use?

A: We aim to sequence and limit construction to minimize disruption to multiple parts of the building at the same time, as we plan to keep the building open as usual. Construction will primarily take place on weekdays, between 8am-4pm. There will be no construction (workmen/noise etc.) on Shabbat or major holidays.

We all should expect some disruption, slightly reduced parking, and noise, as with any construction project - but not to the point where we cannot function as a synagogue and gathering space.

We are expecting the main entrance and the nursery school entrance to remain open through mid-June, and the sanctuary entrance to be closed during this time. After mid-June, the nursery school entrance will close, the new sanctuary entrance will open, and the main entrance will remain open except for a few days at a time during particular moments of construction.

Needless to say, we will be in constant contact with the construction team. This will allow us to anticipate the times and locations that will be disrupted on a week by week basis, and we will work with our staff and lay leaders to adjust programs as needed, and communicate to our community.

Q: How can we reach our clergy while the new Clergy Suite is being constructed?

A: Rabbi Brusso and Cantor Ezring will be relocated in the building during the approximately 6 months of the Clergy Suite construction. They will remain accessible as usual, but please coordinate with Ilana Fleishner in the office, for all in person and zoom appointments and to find out where they will be on the day you wish to meet with them.

COmmunity IMPACT

Q: How will members be updated regarding progress, restrictions, changes and other disruptions?

A: We will share regular updates in our “The Weekly” newsletter, which is emailed on Wednesday afternoons. Please check that you already receive these emails, and contact the office if you do not remember seeing them for a while. We will also have a dedicated webpage for the major instructions for our community.

We will not load up your inboxes with a dedicated weekly building project email, but we will communicate when we have big news to share. Of course you are always welcome to ask us questions as you have them!

Q: What will be the impact on Nursery School, Kulanu and Youth Programs during the school year?

A: The biggest impact on parents will be on parking availability and on which building entrance to use. Check your email/our website for news, but for the majority of the school year, the Nursery entrance and Main entrance will be accessible as usual. 

The biggest impact on our children will be which classroom/indoor spaces they will be in. For nursery school children, we will prioritize consistency. For Kulanu and Youth Programming, there will be clear notices at the door entryway as to where they are meeting that day/morning - which is similar to how the classes currently run and have run in the past. We often have special programming, and our children are used to being in different rooms throughout the building. We do not expect too much change during the school year.

Q: Will there be Nursery School Summer Camp in the summer of 2026?

A: Nursery School Summer Camp 2026 will be OPEN! We plan to keep our current playground accessible and safe until a new play area, behind the building, is ready to be used. We will always have areas for children to be outside, and be able to run and jump.

Q: My child will have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah during the building project timeframe – how will this impact us and our guests?

A: Mazel Tov! We are excited to welcome your child into our adult community! We are also excited and ready to welcome all of your family and guests to our building for our Shabbat Services as usual. Inside the building, any construction/restricted areas will be closed off and secured. The sanctuary will remain untouched by this construction, and we anticipate having our usual kiddush after services in the social hall, throughout the year.

Outside the building, there will be reduced on-site parking and so we suggest mentioning to your guests to give themselves a little extra time to find parking.

Q: What can we expect regarding parking on-site?

A: We anticipate having reduced parking ability on our property during the entire construction project. We do not expect the Town of Mount Kisco to open more legal parking spots near us on the public roads, so please allow extra time for parking/walking in the likely case that you will need to park a block or two further away than you are used to.

Please be mindful of our neighbors, do not block property entrances, fire hydrants, or park illegally.

We are implementing a one way traffic flow from the entrance at Moore Street, through the property, with an exit onto Smith Avenue. We are also planning a sidewalk/walkway spanning the entire length from Moore Street through Smith Avenue. This will increase safety for both pedestrians and cars on our property.

Q: What are the security and safety plans, given the increase in personnel outside and inside the building?

A: All vendors, and all individual construction workers will be fully vetted by our construction company before they are engaged. All personnel will report in and out of the construction office trailer (located on site) each day. We will always have full knowledge of who is on site and the areas where they will have access will be limited for their construction needs.

Additionally, we will continue to have our own security staff and processes in place.

Inside the building, major construction areas will be blocked off. Construction workers will be limited to specific areas of the building they are working on.

Financial questions

Q: How are the building projects funded?

A: Financial commitments from the Bet Torah community are funding these projects. The gifts are directed to the Bet Torah Foundation and the project budget is managed by our Executive Director, Seth Young, and volunteer leadership of Bet Torah, with oversight by the Bet Torah Board of Directors.

We are incredibly grateful to The Schleifer Family for offering a matching program for donations raised after July 2025 to a maximum of $1M. This means that these donations are effectively doubled until we hit the $1M goal, and so we anticipate ultimately receiving $2M due to this initiative.

Our goal is to raise $6M and as of December 2025, we have $5.3M pledged. We will likely use a bridge loan for cash flow purposes until the pledges are fully executed upon.

We hope every member will join us in contributing to the future of our community, to whatever extent they can.

Q: Will my dues go up because of this building project?

A: No, the building projects will not impact annual membership dues or Nursery school or Kulanu tuition rates. The building projects are funded by gifts and pledges made by Bet Torah families to the Bet Torah Foundation. We are so grateful for the more than 150 families who have already supported the Bet Torah Foundation. 

Q: This is all so great! How can I contribute to the BTF in support of the building project, and be part of Bet Torah’s future?

A: We are excited to encourage ALL Bet Torah members to contribute and be part of this new building project! Furthermore, we are incredibly grateful to The Schleifer Family for offering a matching program for donations raised after July 2025 to a maximum of $1M. This means that these donations are effectively doubled until we hit the $1M goal, and so we anticipate ultimately receiving $2M due to this initiative. 

You can even pledge now and fulfill your commitment over several years. Start your conversation with a BTF leader today! Email Neil Klar or Amy Horowitz at: bettorahfoundation@bettorah.org

We hope every member will join us in contributing to the future of our community, to whatever extent they can.

Tue, February 17 2026 30 Shevat 5786