Fall River synagogue faces sale over preservation costs, decrease in members

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — The board at Temple Beth El of Fall River said it will sell its historic synagogue and move to a smaller location in the city.

Rabbi Mark Elber told ABC 6 News that maintaining the large temple on High Street is no longer feasible for the congregation.

Elber said a decrease in members and growing issues within the building itself have been taxing on the congregation’s resources.

The temple itself, finished in 1929, has developed wear and tear.

Elber said the roof leaks and the building has pipe issues.

He said he has also seen a decrease in members since he joined the temple in the summer of 2013.

Elber said there was a peak of 250 households at the beginning of his tenure, and that there are currently about 60 active members.

“Even though our numbers are less than they were in the past, everyone matters a great deal, and we still have a lot of spirit,” he said. “Our community is vibrant, and even through it has shrunken in terms of size, it hasn’t shrunken in terms of spirit.”

He said the current members have been there for the majority of their lives, with most being in their 70s and 80s.

Elber cited a significant rise in the Jewish population in Fall River in the 1950s and 60s, and said the temple has seen a decrease in members in the following generations.

Elber is holding onto hope that a generous donor will step in to save the synagogue from the sale, or that the commuter rail will bring in new members.

“Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but I hope not,” he said.