Congregation Kol Am to Close

will close due to ongoing financial difficulties, St. Louis Jewish Light reports.

The motion to begin dissolving the temple was passed "overwhelmingly" on March 10, president Norman Berkowitz told Jewish Light. Berkowitz could not be reached for comment.

The congregation’s rabbi, Severine Haziza-Sokol, has been let go. Lay-led services will continue until the temple closes permanently in late April or early May. 

St. Louis Jewish Light reports that the temple faced fiscal challenges after constructing its new building in 2006. Berkowitz told St. Louis Jewish Light that the congregation knew the 22,000-square-foot building would come with significant debt, but hoped it would also attract new members. Families didn’t join in large enough numbers to keep the temple financially viable. 

Berkowitz told St. Louis Jewish Light that a potential buyer for the structure at 1023 Chesterfield Parkway East has been lined up, but he did not release a name.

Nearly 70 families are members of the Reform synagogue, which was founded in the 1970s. Many Kol Am members plan to move to Temple Emanuel.

To read more about the closure, check out St. Louis Jewish Light.