Temple Beth El (Syracuse, New York) Explained

Building Name:Temple Beth El
Map Type:New York
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Country:United States
Location:3528 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York
Coordinates:43.0416°N -76.0894°W
Status:Former synagogue
Functional Status:Closed and sold

Temple Beth El was a synagogue located at 3528 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York. It was designed by Nicholas Goffredo, a local architect.

History

Founded in 1965 as an Orthodox congregation,[1] [2] the congregation was initially affiliated with the Orthodox Union. In, the congregation joined the Union for Traditional Judaism.[3]

Later, in 2002, it changed to a Conservative affiliation, and held its final service on January 27, 2007.[4]

In 2007, due to declining membership, the synagogue has closed and was sold. The membership voted to join Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, a Conservative synagogue at 18 Patsy Lane in DeWitt. In October 2007, the Slavic Full Gospel Church began using the building.[5]

Arson attack

The temple building, but not the sanctuary, was heavily damaged in an arson attack on October 13, 2000.[6] [7] Palestinian-American Ramsi Uthman was convicted in the attack.[8] Uthman, who was born in Venezuela to Palestinian parents, is a naturalized U.S. citizen.[9] Ahed Shehadeh was convicted of aiding and abetting the arson.[7] [10] According to Shehadeh's testimony, after Uthman set fire to the Temple, he yelled "I did this for you, God!"[9]

In exchange for his testimony Shehadeh received a five-year prison sentence, and was released in 2008. Uthman received the maximum possible sentence of 25 years, to be served in New York's Attica Correctional Facility, although he will be eligible for parole in 2021.[11] He was convicted of a hate crime.[12]

The building reopened in 2001 after repairing some $700,000 of damage from the attack.

Notes and References

  1. News: Feds: Arson, No Bomb; Who Poured the Fuel for Fire at Temple Beth El? . . October 17, 2000 . February 4, 2012 . O'Brien, John . Syracuse . A1 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080330/http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004 . November 10, 2013 .
  2. Web site: Temple Beth-El - Syracuse, New York (NY): Company Profile . Manta Media Inc. . February 5, 2012.
  3. News: After Arson, Temple Searches for Identity - Temple Beth El Leaders Will Vote on Changing from Orthodox to Conservative . . July 30, 2002 . February 5, 2012 . Gadoua, Renee K. . Syracuse . A1 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080330/http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004 . November 10, 2013 .
  4. News: Temple Ends Worship Services - Citing Declining Membership, City's Temple Beth El Will Join DeWitt Congregation . . February 9, 2007 . February 4, 2012 . Gadoua, Renee K. . Syracuse . B1 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080330/http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004 . November 10, 2013 .
  5. Web site: Slavic congregation moves into former Jewish temple . Syracuse Online LLC . syracuse.com . October 2, 2007 . February 5, 2012 . Sieh, Maureen.
  6. News: Shabbat Dinner Tonight at Temple: The Meal Will Be the First Since Arson Fire Heavily Damaged Temple Beth El . . March 23, 2001 . February 5, 2012 . Wright, Gloria . Syracuse . C3 . The temple's sacred objects, its sanctuary and its stained-glass windows were not permanently damaged. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080330/http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004 . November 10, 2013 .
  7. Book: Hate crimes: a reference handbook . registration . ABC-CLIO . Altschiller, Donald . 2005 . Santa Barbara, California . 25 . 978-1-85109-624-4.
  8. News: Guilty Verdict in Temple Arson - Ramsi Uthman Is Convicted of Hate Crimes . . November 25, 2003 . February 5, 2012 . O'Hara, Jim . Syracuse . B1 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080330/http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004 . November 10, 2013 .
  9. Web site: Syracuse Synagogue Arsonist Convicted of Hate Crimes . . December 2, 2003 . February 5, 2012.
  10. News: Green . David . From Lynchings to Mass Shootings: The History of Deadly Attacks on Jews in America . 20 November 2018 . . 28 October 2018.
  11. http://www.trendsinhate.com/hatedates/OctoberHateDates/October13.html Trends in Hate
  12. News: Arab convicted of hate crimes in temple arson . AP . . 25 November 2003. .

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