In the spring of 2023, we embarked on a new endeavor: Young Jewish Professionals of Indianapolis would purchase a facility for our growing community in Downtown Indianapolis.

YJP was founded a few years earlier, in 2019, and had experienced astounding growth. From virtually scratch, a vibrant group of hundreds of young Jews met, mingled, ate, networked and partied together regularly.

With the plurality of these young people living in downtown, securing a hub of sorts in the city was a no-brainer.

We were hoping for a venue able to host a portion of our events as well as serve as a lounge for Jews who seek a quiet place to work, read, pray or meet a friend.

After scouring Zillow for a while, we fell for a space usable for our small and mid-sized gatherings (big parties would still require outside venues, after all, money doesn’t grow on trees).

Due to its unusual layout (which fits our needs perfectly) we negotiated a $350,000 price for 1,700 square feet at a prime location, at the corner of New York and New Jersey Streets.

Thanks to our steadfast supporters (many of whom are Chai Club monthly givers) we earmarked $50,000 immediately from the YJP account.

Next, an extremely generous friend came forward with an interest free loan of $150,000 - which we have been steadily paying back each month.

For the final $150,000 we secured a mortgage from the bank upon which YJP is, of course, paying interest.

This campaign aims to knockout that mortgage (and with any luck, to speed up the repayment to that generous friend).

In full transparency, we thankfully have been on time for both of these monthly payments. This is not a campaign of dire desperation. 

But to allow this mortgage to linger is to allow its interest payment total to needlessly balloon. Plus, with the mortgage squared away, our team can move on to other ambitious projects for the Indianapolis Jewish community.

As of January 2025, the principal balance left on the mortgage is just over $106,000 and the interest-free loan at $129,000.

Watch this space as we progress through the year!