The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life is a major development for the Jewish community of Harrisburg – and the Harrisburg community at large. The 6.4 acre property is the central hub for Jewish life, providing space for a variety of programs and organizations, room to meet and convene, and a safe and nurturing space for our community to learn, celebrate, and connect. The campus houses the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and the JCC, the Silver Academy - Central PA’s Jewish Day school, and Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Harrisburg.

The following organizations, programs, and services can be found here:

Education: Brenner Family Early Learning Center (infant-PreK), Silver Academy (grades PreK-8), and Hebrew High School (grades 8-12), as well as educational programming for all ages

Senior Services: Senior Center to serve seniors regardless of religious affiliation

Health & Wellness: High-end fitness center, Sports Center complete with a basketball court, and wellness programming

Social services: counseling and therapy, food assistance, and adoption services

Community Programs: arts & culture, interfaith, social justice, and more

The Campus is located at 2986 N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg, PA (formerly Dixon University), a few blocks south of the longtime Jewish Federation/JCC facility at 3301 N. Front St.. The property is 6.42 acres, 135,000 square feet, and comprises six buildings.

In 1999, Alexander Grass z’l said: “We didn’t have much when I was growing up. As I became successful, it became important for me to give something back to the community.”

Alex Grass was involved in extensive philanthropic activities and invested a great deal of his life in leadership roles of civic and educational institutions in the United States and in Israel. He was appointed by the Prime Minister of Israel to be Chairman of the Jewish Agency, the most significant non-governmental agency in Israel, serving from 1999 to 2003. Alex Grass chaired the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, from which he received an honorary doctorate in 2000. He was also National Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal and a past president of the Israel Education Fund. In Harrisburg, he served as President of the United Jewish Community.

As of summer 2024, The Silver Academy, Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, Symons Family Fitness Center, Jewish Family Service, and the Brenner Family Early Learning Center have moved onto Campus.

The Grass Campus is home to many Jewish agencies in our community, who offer programs and services for all in our community. Programming, organizations, and activities already on the campus include:
Grass Center – Event and Conference Center, Symons Family Fitness Center, and Federation staff offices

South Hall – Silver Academy classrooms/offices

Richards Hall – lifelong learning, arts, and culture; Senior Adult Club (*COMING SOON*)

Duncan Hall – Brenner Family Early Learning Center

Lehrman Hall – Jewish Family Service staff offices, offering social services like counseling, adoption and foster care, refugee resettlement, and more

The purchase of the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Alexander Grass Foundation. We aim to match their generous donation and have raised just over 75% of our $10M goal through a multi-year Comprehensive Campaign. Learn more at www.grasscampus.org/support.

The Campus has 100+ parking spaces in an underground garage and there are above-ground parking lots behind Lehrman Hall and Duncan Hall. The lot between the Grass Center (admin building) and Richards Hall is fully reserved for handicap parking, senior citizens, and anyone with limited mobility. There is also some street parking along 2nd and Green Streets.

Community security is paramount to creating a welcoming and safe campus for all. We have created and continue to implement a comprehensive security program and have allocated 15% of our campaign funds toward security and infrastructure, and our campus and community safety is bolstered by our participation in JFNA and SCN’s LiveSecure campaign.

Yes. Our Event and Conference Center provides indoor and outdoor high-end space for celebrations and life events, corporate meetings and conferences, and much more. Please contact us at grasscampus@jewishfedhbg.org to inquire about spaces available for your event!

Yes. Our new Symons Family Fitness Center is a high-end facility, with state-of-the-art equipment overlooking the Susquehanna River and multiple fitness studios to accommodate your favorite classes. Learn more and join at jewishharrisburg.org/symons-family-fitness-center.

For information on joining the Harrisburg JCC and the Symons Family Fitness Center, please visit www.jewishharrisburg.org/membership or contact us at membership@jewishfedhbg.org.

Future construction phase including basketball/pickleball court and more are still in development pending funding.

The facility at 3301 N. Front St. is currently listed for sale and we are providing tours and information to interested parties. For more information, contact GrassCampus@jewishfedhbg.org.

Please contact GrassCampus@jewishfedhbg.org for more information on how to volunteer to help!

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• Sign up for email updates at
jewishharrisburg.org/grass-campus-updates
• Learn more at www.grasscampus.org