Dream fulfilled

Temple Beth Hatfiloh's growing congregation embraces makeover

By Lisa Pemberton | The Olympian • Published March 30, 2008

Members of Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia have envisioned a new synagogue for about 15 years.

"At one time, the (new building) committee was called TBH 2000," said Beth Halpern of Olympia. "When we first started, it seemed realistic."

The dream soon will come to fruition as work ers put the final touches on the 18,000-square-foot temple at Eighth Avenue and Washington Street, formerly the home of a Christian Science church.

The temple's $3.2 million capital project - mostly paid for with private donations from the congregation - broke ground in the fall of 2006. It includes:

• A complete renovation, including seismic and accessibility upgrades, to the historic, 11,000-square-foot brick building Temple Beth Hatfiloh purchased in 2003.

• A 7,000-square-foot addition that houses administrative offices, meeting space and nine classrooms.

• E nvironmentally friendly elements through the site, including a water-wise garden with native plants, salvaged building materials and energy-efficient lighting and appliances.

• New gallery space and several artistic features such as a custom-made aron hakodesh, or holy ark, to hold the congregation's Torah scrolls.

• A commercial kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an extra-large social hall.

Rabbi Seth Goldstein said the new synagogue was designed with plenty of kitchen and dining spac e for community events such as today's Blintzapalooza, the temple's annual charity sale of books, blintzes and bagels.

"A lot of our events have to do around food," he said smiling.

Deep roots

Temple Beth Hatfiloh is Olympia's oldest and largest Jewish congregation; its roots trace back to the mid-1800s, according to congregation president Jeff Trinin. The only other Jewish temple in South Sound, Congregation B'nai Torah, started as a more conservative offshoot of Temple Beth Hatfiloh. In 2005, it moved into a former evangelical church on Libby Road in north Olympia.