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July 25, 2003
Richmond synagogues flourish
Eitz Chaim and Ohr Emet are optimistic and planning for new facilities.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Eitz Chaim Synagogue, Richmond's oldest Orthodox congregation,
is on the verge of turning a corner in its financial history.
Just one year ago, Eitz Chaim found itself in a significant deficit
situation – on its way to a debt of about $1 million. On top
of that, political dissension among the membership led to approximately
20 members leaving Eitz Chaim and starting another Orthodox shul
in Richmond, Ohr Emet.
According to Alan Reese, Eitz Chaim's current president, an entirely
new board was then formed, who initiated an immediate change in
how the shul was operated on a fiscal level. Today, Reese explained,
Eitz Chaim is debt free with a very bright future.
"We got a new board and we just changed the way we did things
dramatically," he said. "We adopted a policy of running
[the shul] like a business. We imposed a budget, we imposed some
very strict rules and controls and got spending under control almost
immediately."
Perhaps the most significant financial decision the new board made
was to sell half of its property at the corner of No. 3 Road and
Francis Road.
Thirteen years ago, when Eitz Chaim moved to its current location,
they purchased property on either side of the shul, which included
four houses. The plan at the time was to tear down those houses
and build a new shul, a community centre and a Hebrew day school.
However, when the Richmond Jewish Day School opened, Eitz Chaim's
plans were suspended indefinitely.
In April, a deal was initiated that would see Eitz Chaim sell two
of the houses, as well as the land that holds the existing shul,
for more than $1.5 million. The new facility would then be built
where the remaining two houses now currently stand. Reese said they
hope to have the deal completed by the end of the year, with construction
on the new Eitz Chaim to begin in January. The congregation will
then have to find a temporary home for approximately six months
until construction is completed.
Reese explained that they will also need to come up with another
$1.5 million in order to build the kind of synagogue that the board
feels is required for a prosperous future.
"We can build a basic shul and use our existing furniture and
survive quite adequately," he explained. "But we want
more than just an adequate shul. We want to have good finishes and
new furniture. Our ambitions are quite high."
Another aspect of Eitz Chaim that has changed dramatically in the
past six months is the status of Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock, who
is no longer on the synagogue's payroll. Feigelstock originally
took a leave of absence from Eitz Chaim three years ago in order
to develop the Ohel Ya'akov Community Kollel. The Kollel has since
developed into a more significant communal organization that demands
the majority of Feigelstock's time. However, he will continue serving
Eitz Chaim as their active rabbi until a replacement is found.
"He's not being paid by us but when there is a funeral, when
there's a wedding or someone needs help, Rabbi Feigelstock is always
there and at services he's the rabbi," Reese explained. "He's
been acting as our rabbi just out of the goodness of his heart,
but that situation obviously cannot continue."
Reese said that a search for a new rabbi will likely coincide with
the development of the shul's new facility.
Though the past year has come with a lot of changes, Reese said
there is a lot more positive energy among the congregation.
"After the split, it took us a couple of months to get things
organized, but then there was a rapid change in people's moods,"
he said. "People didn't complain any more and there was a very
pleasant and warm atmosphere."
He also noted that, despite the budgetary cuts, there has been no
change in the quality of programming and services offered by Eitz
Chaim.
"The great danger always is that when you cut your budget,
you cut down on your services and your efficiency," he said.
"But I think we are doing things a lot more efficiently than
we did before and it's costing us half of what it did before.
"When [the new board] took over, Eitz Chaim was on its death
bed," he continued. "I'm sure a doctor feels the same
thing when he saves a life and sees the patient getting stronger
and stronger. It's a very rewarding feeling."
This year, Eitz Chaim also established an National Congress of Synagogue
Youth chapter based out of Richmond.
New shul for Ohr Emet
In the meantime, the congregation of Ohr Emet celebrated its one
year anniversary at Jericho Beach July 20. Des Friedland, Ohr Emet's
vice-president, told the Bulletin that the congregation recently
purchased new property on No. 3 Road, north of Francis Road, into
which they will be moving after the High Holy Days. They are waiting
for approval for rezoning, but are unsure what they will do with
the house that is currently on the property.
"We haven't quite decided whether we're going to fix up what
currently exists or whether we're going to do a more extensive alteration
and rebuild from the beginning, but everyone is in favor of moving
forward and acquiring our own space."
Ohr Emet started with 20 families last summer and has now grown
to 32 families.
"The growth has been spectacular," said Friedland. "Everything
is very upbeat."
Friedland said they are expecting approximately 150 people at their
High Holy Day services. Their current location is at 8500 Saunders
Rd. in Richmond.
Kyle Berger is an award-winning freelance journalist and
a graphic designer living in Richmond.
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