pledge total as of August 2023: 89% of $750,000 goal

Nurturing and caring for the children of our community has been a core focus of the Asheville Jewish Community Center for nearly 85 years. The JCC journey of strengthening Jewish identity, celebrating Jewish culture, and building inclusive community begins at Hilde’s House, where infants and toddlers are welcomed into a deeply nurturing community.

Hilde’s House opened in 1977 and has served more than 800 infants and toddlers and their families. Professional, dedicated, loving caregivers serve up to 6 infants and 10 –12 toddlers on any given day. They maintain the legacy of Hilde Hoffman, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated her life to caring for the youngest children in her home country of Germany and then in Asheville’s Jewish community.

Today, our children, and the wonderful people who care for them, need our help. Throughout its years as the space where the community’s babies and toddlers have been nurtured, this house on Hillside Street has never had a major renovation. We believe the space should reflect the exceptional quality of care that is provided at the JCC’s 5-star licensed Shalom Children’s Center.

Hilde’s House is currently undergoing a major renovation, which began in August 2022.
Primary components of the project are to:
• Rebuild plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems
• Reconfigure areas to provide highly functional learning spaces inspired by the latest early childhood education philosophies
• Equip spaces with adequate facilities for sanitation, food and bottle preparation, and essential record keeping
• Create ADA access throughout the facility and outdoor playground
• Improve safety related to drop-off/pick-up parking
• Enhance security by adding features such as cameras, privacy fencing, and bollards
• Beautify and update paint, lighting, and fixtures

Our community came together over the past decade to dramatically expand and improve the facilities supporting JCC programs and our community. The project to restore Hilde’s House will complete that vision. Restoring Hilde’s House will cost approximately $650,000. Additional expenses of $100,000 will be dedicated to enhancing security and providing professional fees associated with the project and fundraising. Your gift, which can be pledged over up to three years, will provide the space our children and the people who care for them deserve… a space as beautiful as they are.

Campaign Steering Committee Members
Co-Chairs
Debbie Adams
Kate Brantley
Bob Deutsch
Committee Members
Kerry Friedman
Jolene Lallouz
Carolyn Small
Margaret Teich
Carol Wenom

Campaign Advisory Board
Rachel Acker
Jeff Kaplan
Felisa Morgan

About Hilde Hoffman
Hilde Hoffman was born on March 17, 1920 in Leipzig, Germany. After spending years in Germany and England, where she came to escape Nazi persecution, caring for local children, she moved to Asheville in 1945. A monumental figure in Asheville’s Jewish community, among her many accomplishments was establishing the JCC’s preschool program, now known as Shalom Children’s Center, where she acted as director and teacher for 16 years. In 1977, the JCC opened its infant and toddler space, naming it Hide’s House in her honor. Hilde died on May 18, 2011 in New York City and was laid to rest here in Asheville. May her memory be a blessing.