Enjoying the first day of the JCC cafe’s courtyard expansion are, from left, Ellana Tsvayberg and her sons Ethan and baby David, Helene Coustan, JCC president Mindy Goldberger, Stephanie Williams, and Debbie Abrams with her baby, Julie.
Photos by Elaine Durbach
September 11, 2008
The cafe was always a central feature of life at the Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey — a place to grab a snack for a hungry toddler or a quick cup of coffee after an exercise class. But with its strictly utilitarian atmosphere, no one lingered there for long.
That has changed. While the food and the decor were upgraded a few months ago, the big improvement of the newly named Fusion Cafe was unveiled this Sept. 8 — the long-awaited opening of new doors onto the center’s inner courtyard. Within hours, there were groups of friends — some of them representing brand-new connections — sitting around the tables outside, enjoying the day’s clear sunshine and light breeze.
With flowers and umbrellas and elegant wrought iron furniture, the space had become suddenly inviting — even for the elderly and for mothers with strollers, thanks to a ramp alongside the steps.
“It was always so frustrating to be able to see that space outside the window and not be able to go out into it,” said Debbie Abrams of Scotch Plains, who took a seat outside with her baby, Julie. “It looks really good. You can tell that a lot of thought has gone into what they’ve done.”
The renovation of the cafe is part of an ongoing process of sprucing up and reorganizing the JCC in Scotch Plains that was initiated last year after the appointment of executive director Barak Hermann. New plantings adorn the outside, and new colors, signs, and notice boards adorn the inside. There has also been a refurbishing of rooms in the Early Childhood wing, making bright new play spaces out of what had been drab and underused areas. There is a conference room, and the executive offices have been improved.
Lori Sternberg looks on as her daughter Anna takes delight in one of the mugs handed out at the official opening of the JCC’s refurbished Fusion Cafe.
The courtyard opening came just in time for parents bringing their little ones in for the first day of the JCC’s preschool program. Abrams had dropped off her three-year-old, as had Lori Sternberg of Westfield, who came by the cafe to check it out, even though — she said — she had just had breakfast at home.
To celebrate the occasion, the cafe was offering everyone free breakfast. People were helping themselves to bagels and rugelach and getting fill-ups of the smart blue coffee mugs presented as gifts.
Marketing and special events director Sandra Kenoff explained that the coffee mugs, in addition to being a way to spread awareness of the JCC, are part of its determination to be as “green” as possible. “People will be able to use their mugs instead of having to use disposable cups,” she said.
That anti-waste approach was evident too in the handsomely painted tables inside the cafe. Rather than dispose of the old tables, designers Lesley Vogel and Debbie Livingston repainted them in subtly patterned shades. They also did the faux tiling effect around the cafe counter. In additional space created by opening up an adjoining room, the tables give way to cushy leather armchairs — conducive to long discussions or a quiet read.
Adding the finishing touches to the cafe’s honey-colored walls were works by local artists. There will be a rotating display of art work on display and for sale.
Vogel is cochairing the renovation committee with property developer and restaurant owner Peter Weissbrod. Working with the two of them are Stuart Fuchsman, Mark Ginsberg, Steve Needle, and Jeff Silverstein.
Hermann said that Weissbrod, Vogel, and their committee had gone way beyond the normal lay volunteer contribution, putting in long hours every week for months, doing hands-on work themselves, in addition to using their expertise to bring in the best and most cost-efficient suppliers and contractors.
Weissbrod himself said they managed to transform the cafe “on a shoestring” budget by drawing on the dedication of their committee members, the good will of professional colleagues — and by calling up favors. “It was a labor of love,” he said. “Volunteer work always is, but people really put their hearts into this.”
On Monday, JCC president Mindy Goldberger looked out over the buzz of people eating and talking inside the cafe and outside in the courtyard and smiled with satisfaction. “This is what we’ve wanted this center to be,” she said, “a place where people in the community want to come, to be together.”
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