The frame of our new building is now complete. Take a look at the three pictures below: the top one shows a view of the site looking northeast. The middle picture shows an eastward view. (See the raised ceiling on on the third floor? That’s our sanctuary/social hall!) The bottom picture shows the signed beam (see previous diary entry) bolted into place in the second floor landing of the main stairwell.

The steel frame of our building has been going up all week and as of today it is almost complete. It is amazing to see how quickly the steel has been assembled. It is finally starting to look like a building!

Last Sunday JRC members gathered throughout the day to sign one of the steel beams. All day long folks dropped by to affix their names, messages, blessings, etc. that will become a permanent part of our synagogue structure.

It was a typically chilly Chicago day so we held the beam signing inside the construction trailer. Despite the cold weather (and the competing Bears playoff game) over 200 people dropped by to pick up a Sharpie and add their signatures to the beam!

The rest of the structure should be completed by next week. It’s not clear when our next communal ritual opportunity will take place, but knowing JRC, I’m sure we’ll think of something…

The first delivery of structural steel has arrived!

Now the construction crew will assemble the beams like an erector set, fastening and tightening the bolts, and eventually welding them into place. By the end of the week we should be able to see significant progress in the framework of our building.

This Sunday, we are having a congregation-wide “beam signing.” JRC members have been invited to write their names, messages, blessings, etc. on one of the steel beams before it is installed for posterity. True to form we never pass up an opportunity to gather together for ritual purposes…

The foundation is now complete! The workers have spent the week leveling off the site and believe it or not, the first shipment of structural steel will arrive this Monday. The next three weeks will be spent erecting the basic frame of the building. We are told it will go up very fast, in thirds, from the east side to the west, three stories at a time. By the end of January, we will have a very good idea of what the building will look like structurally.

If you are wondering why most of the ground in this picture still looks like so much dirt, it’s because the concrete slab that will provide the foundation floor will not be poured until March. Though the caissons, foundation walls and grade beams are firmly in place, the leveled ground needs to be left as bare earth for now so the workers can install the necessary underground plumbing, etc. The concrete for the third and second floors will actually be poured in place before the ground floor goes in.

Perhaps I’ll weigh in on the “Global Warming” vs. “El Nino” controversy in a future post. For now, let’s just say that the unseasonably warm weather has been kind to our construction project. We are still right on schedule.