$140k donation keeps Palm Springs Jewish Temple open

Temple Isaiah faced two offers to sell its Palm Springs property because of funding issues. The congregation wasn’t happy to discuss that possibility.

“It was a very real option. There were two options on the table. Both real offers and both were being considered very seriously,” Seth Schulner said.

Dozens of congregation members came to Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs to vote on its fate.

“We have a magnificent building that is very important to this city and we have a Jewish community here for over 50 years and we want to see that it stays here,” Ronald Fragen said.

Minutes before the meeting, Robert Weinstein, a congregation member who made one of the offers to purchase the temple said Harold Matzner, a philanthropist in Palm Springs made a $140,000 donation to the temple. The congregation said that should cover the maintenance costs for another year.

“When it was built, there were over 800 member families here in Palm Springs Jewish community. The demographics have changed tremendously since the 80s when it was built and now we’re a congregation closer to 200 couples and singles,” Temple Isaiah Rabbi David Lazar said.

Congregation members said they left today’s meeting with hope for the temple’s future in Palm Springs.