You might expect that if a fire destroyed a synagogue, the congregation could be excused if it canceled a service or a Hebrew school class while its members regrouped.
But nearly two months after a fast-moving fire tore through a downtown Gloucester apartment building, killing one resident before spreading to Temple Ahavat Achim, the congregation has endured.
Services are held at members' homes, downtown offices, and at a Unitarian Universalist church; the Hebrew school meets in a Manchester church; members of the administrative staff have relocated to the synagogue president's downtown real estate agency. Rabbi Samuel Barth does much of his work out of his car and in the back room of a downtown coffee shop.
"People have really drawn close to the synagogue in the last two months, in ways that they might not otherwise had imagined," Barth said.
The synagogue plans to set up an interim office and sanctuary this month in a downtown office building. Barth said the temporary move is necessary because any rebuilding project would take at least two years.
Carole Sharoff, the temple's president, said the building was insured, but estimated that the congregation would have to raise an additional $5 million for a new building. "Our goal is to rebuild on the site," Sharoff said.
When they move into their interim home, congregants won't bring much from the former temple. All that's left after the Dec. 14 fire are some soot-filled prayer shawls and books, plaques, a gold-leafed Star of David, and the charred remains of one of five Torah scrolls that burned in the fire.
Despite the destruction of the 179-year-old building, members said they are buoyed by the support they have received from Jews and non-Jews throughout Cape Ann and are dedicated more than ever to the synagogue, which was founded in 1904 by Eastern European immigrants.
"There's a shared purpose and a shared past," Sharoff said, "and we've been through a shared experience that is just an extraordinary thing."
Gerri Berlin-Cohen said, "I don't think that a building defines who you are; we are a congregation."
She called the mix of congregants eclectic and said it includes married and single, gay and straight, Orthodox and Reform. "We are people that care about each other, love each other, and really enjoy each other's company," Berlin-Cohen said.
After the fire, the synagogue made a plea for emergency donations to go to those who lost their homes in the apartment building. The congregation raised $23,000, and during the process strangers began donating to the synagogue's rebuilding fund. Checks have come from as far away as Spain and Israel; a Hebrew school class from North Carolina sent $27; a Lexington charity sent a check for thousands.
The synagogue is also expected to receive a donation from the Gloucester Fund, the same organization that oversaw funds for the fire victims. A Swampscott synagogue, Congregation Shirat Hayam, has lent the shul a Torah, and Barth said he has been offered dozens more from synagogues throughout the country.
Former synagogue president Meredith Fine said the outpouring of support has made the experience easier for congregants.
"I think it made the whole community think about what this institution meant to them," she said. "I've had virtual strangers hugging me on the train. Friends of mine gave their Christmas money to the temple. It's been very, very moving."
The Rev. Wendy Fitting of the Independent Christian Church, Universalist, in Gloucester said she understood the community's need to comfort synagogue members.
"A lot of times in a tragedy like this, people feel helpless, and we were able to do something very concrete," said Fitting, whose church has provided a sanctuary for temple members to pray on Saturdays since the fire. "There's a lot of joy in being able to do for your neighbor."
The First Parish Church Congregational in Manchester also wanted to do something for the synagogue. Days after the blaze, the church opened its doors to allow the synagogue's Hebrew school to hold classes. Floors and classes were switched to accommodate the Hebrew school's Wednesday and Sunday schedule.
"We just wanted to do something to help out, because we felt so badly," said Ann Ranger, the church's education director. "We know how we would feel if our church burned down - it would be terrible - so this was a way for us to help."
Last Sunday, children from the church's Sunday school joined Hebrew school students for an interfaith celebration of the Jewish holiday Tu B'Shevat. The holiday marks the Jewish New Year for trees, and the children celebrated by singing Hebrew songs and eating fruit such as dates, bananas, and oranges.
Rachel Shwartz, who directs the 27-student Hebrew school, said she has noticed that students have been more enthusiastic and committed since the fire. Shwartz thinks that bringing in a therapist to talk with the children helped ease the shock. Students also heard from firefighters who described the details of the fire.
Sarah Visnick, an 11-year-old Rockport middle school student, said the fire has made her more dedicated to the congregation that her family has been part of for three generations.
"I appreciate it a lot more now," she said. "I feel more a part of it. It kind of feels more important."
Shwartz said the experience has made the children more aware of their religion and community. "They love coming here, and they're happy to be together," she said. "And I think it's because they've seen how everybody's worked together, Jews and non-Jews."
Steven Rosenberg can be reached at rosenberg@globe.com.
