In Milton, downsizing the synagogue

In Milton, Mass., Temple Shalom, facing a dwindling congregation, is contemplating selling off much of its land and replacing its large synagogue with a smaller one. In Globe South today, Matt Carroll reports:

"As membership declined, congregants have wrestled with whether to merge with another temple or to try to move forward. The building, even if creaky, features many beautiful touches that could be placed in a new building, such as a stained glass window that is a memorial to Holocaust victims and memorial plaques that honor congregants who have passed on, with lights that are lit during the Hebrew month they died. But it is showing its age. Its single-pane windows leak heat to the outside like sieves. Heat and maintenance cost $10,000 to $12,000 a month, which is rapidly draining off reserves. After long study that began in 2005, members decided to stay and try to grow. They hired (Alfred) Benjamin as a full-time rabbi, the first in several years. The temple now has about 135 families, which leaders hope to increase to about 200 families. The building has about 20,000 square feet. What the temple needs is 6,000 to 7,000 on two levels, members said. "We just want to build something appropriate for a small-town synagogue," said (former president Paul) Etkind."

(Photo by Pat Greenhouse of the Globe staff.)