Temple Micah, the only synagogue in Park Hill, will move from from its home of more than 35 years, Park Hill Congregational Church at 2600 Leyden St., to Park Hill United Methodist Church (PHUMC), 5209 Montview Blvd.
Weve got a permit, weve got a contractor, and now we can move forward, according to Chuck Kessler, a Temple Micah board member and Park Hill resident.
Rooms being remodeled for Temple Micah offices are expected to be ready for occupancy this month.
Shabbat services and other activities are also anticipated to take place in the new location before years end.
Already in transition, the temple has held major events at PHUMC, including a get-together for Micah members and prospective ones, High Holy Days services and the sixth Top Latke Taste-off and Chanukah party.
A ceremony officially heralding the startup of Temple Micahs residence with PHUMC will be co-led there by its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Eric Smith, and Rabbi Adam Morris, 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.
Micah members plan to gather at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, with Park Hill Congregational counterparts, led by Pastor David Bahr and Rabbi Morris, for a service acknowledging their congregations shared history.
Both the temple and the church hope to preserve it. For example, Temple Micah and the church plan to continue their connection by still co-hosting Mitzvah Day, community volunteer efforts each fall and Holocaust remembrances each spring.
The service also marks the bittersweet parting and formal end to that notably cooperative era.
In January, Temple Micah congregants will walk their Torah scroll to its new home.
Looking ahead to the relocation, Rabbi Morris says:
Planning and plans are coming together and we are almost ready to go forward with work on our new offices; interior and exterior signage; creating and installing elements that will allow us to feel at home when we use the large sanctuary and our new mikdash-sanctuary.
The temple will have regular use of the Babbs Chapel as its designated sanctuary, which is being adapted and refurbished at PHUMC especially for this purpose.
Until renovation of this space is completed, likely in February, 2014, Temple Micah Shabbat services will take place in the PHUMC sanctuary parlor.
Sharon Thorson, chairperson of the chapel remodel, has teamed with Rabbi Morris, Temple Micah President Michael Clapman, Vice-President Brian Silverman and others on the space committee to coordinate the move.
Information: http://www.micahmove.blogspot.com.
