Case Studies

Temple Beth Israel

Steubenville, Ohio

We were in a unique position in Steubenville in that we ran out of people before we ran out of money.
–Dottie Silberman, Steubenville, OH

Challenge

How can JCLP help perpetuate the life, and legacy, of a small congregation facing a precarious decline in membership.

For many years, Steubenville, Ohio was a thriving center of the steel industry. Within this city, a robust Jewish community flourished as well. And within that community, Temple Beth Israel was the center of Jewish religious, cultural and social life. “They started with steel mills and manufacturing and then the Jewish people came to supplement, with clothing stores and grocery stores, the needs of the people,” said community member Beverly Greenburg.

When the steel mills began to close in the 1980s, the city felt its brunt. Steubenville decreased from a city of 40,000 to one of only 18,000 today. “There was no reason for our children to return to the community’” said Dottie Silberman. ”And none did. High holidays this year, we peaked at maybe 20 people.”

So, facing a bleak economy, and an aging congregation, Temple Beth Israel turned to the Jewish Community Legacy Project (JCLP) for assistance in determining how to manage changing demographics while still sustaining a Jewish presence.

Solution

JCLP developed a Legacy Plan for Temple Beth Israel to address multiple needs.

“Even though a community is declining, they’re not giving up on Jewish life,” said JCLP president David Sarnat. JCLP helped Temple Beth Israel make plans for transition and helped turn what could have been a sorrowful circumstance into a blessing.

The plan addressed many areas of need, including:

the administration of the sale of the temple building
future placement and housing of significant ritual objects
opportunities for continued worship
how to best direct financial assets and proceeds

When Temple Beth Israel’s congregants gathered one more time for a final Yom Kippur service in their revered temple, they did it with the comfort and knowledge that a sustainable plan was in place to preserve the legacy of their congregation.

Outcome

JCLP partners secured the legacy of Temple Beth Israel.

A Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)-affiliated congregation, Temple Beth Israel was given historic status by URJ so that it remains a part of the Reform Movement in perpetuity.

After the congregation’s final Yom Kippur service, the temple building was sold. Importantly, Beth Israel’s new physical home is now 30 miles from Steubenville in Pittsburgh at Beth El Congregation, which is affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USJC). JCLP helped facilitate this partnership. The sacred space of Beth El offers not only a place of worship, but also a special room to house Beth Israel’s cherished artifacts and ritual objects. JCLP also eased the donation to nearby URJ Rodef Shalom Congregation of a series of bronze sculpted figures titled Procession by noted American-Jewish sculptor Elbert Weinberg.

An additional part of the Beth Israel legacy will be a much-needed senior community center that will stand where the Temple once stood. With the proceeds from the sale, Beth Israel is also working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to be part of the Fund for the Future, which will endow programs to further the Jewish identity of area youth.

“Congregations can leave a legacy that continues the work they were doing,” said Sarnat. “Even if a community at some point ceases to function in a traditional sense, whatever assets they have can continue to be of service and enrich Jewish life.“

The Marcus Foundation has been the primary funder of the Jewish Community Legacy Project since its inception in 2008. With an expanded mission to provide dedicated resources and solutions to small congregations throughout the United States and Canada, JCLP now seeks to ensure its own future. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting this meaningful work can contact David Sarnat (david@jclproject.org) or Noah Levine (noah@jclproject.org).