Questions & Answers
Welcome to the Q&A page about Temple Chai’s future plans, including the actions being taken in anticipation of our physical move to our new home.
New Questions from October 2023 All Congregation Meetings
RELOCATION
Where is the proposed new property?
The new property is at the southeast corner of 60th St. and Bell Rd. in Phoenix. The sellers are the Southwest Equine Hospital, which is moving to a new, larger facility.
How did we find that property?
We can thank the Relocation Committee and Beth Jo Zeitzer, our real estate broker.
The Relocation Committee, led by Temple Chai members Jeff Kravetz, Bobbi Kaplan, and Rob Marsh, looked at dozens of spaces, buildings, locations, land parcels, and possible arrangements, including both buying and leasing.
Our broker, Beth Jo Zeitzer, is President and Designated Broker of R.O.I. Properties, a full-service real estate advisory and brokerage firm based in Phoenix. Beth Jo has been active in the Phoenix Jewish community, as past chair of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and currently through NowGen, a Center of Jewish Philanthropy project. Beth Jo was key to identifying and evaluating the property.
The Relocation Committee, led by Temple Chai members Jeff Kravetz, Bobbi Kaplan, and Rob Marsh, looked at dozens of spaces, buildings, locations, land parcels, and possible arrangements, including both buying and leasing.
Our broker, Beth Jo Zeitzer, is President and Designated Broker of R.O.I. Properties, a full-service real estate advisory and brokerage firm based in Phoenix. Beth Jo has been active in the Phoenix Jewish community, as past chair of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and currently through NowGen, a Center of Jewish Philanthropy project. Beth Jo was key to identifying and evaluating the property.
Who is the architect?
Eddie Jones of Jones Studio, is the architect. Jones Studio is a mid-size architectural firm based in Tempe with experience in designing and building commercial, residential, and special use projects. Mr. Jones helped redesign the Valley Presbyterian Church Sanctuary in Paradise Valley, acting as a catalyst to revive the church’s campus, recognizing the need to honor its past while adapting to changing demographics and needs.
Who decides if this is the right property for us?
You do! Ultimately, the congregation will decide.
Based on the findings during the due diligence period, the relocation committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors outlining design, costs, timeline, zoning, and any other considerations. The Board will then vote to move forward with the purchase of the property and bring its recommendation to the congregation, and the congregation will decide by majority vote (see below).
Based on the findings during the due diligence period, the relocation committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors outlining design, costs, timeline, zoning, and any other considerations. The Board will then vote to move forward with the purchase of the property and bring its recommendation to the congregation, and the congregation will decide by majority vote (see below).
If the congregation votes to proceed, what happens next?
There are two main aspects to the physical relocation: First, we build the new campus, and then we move our belongings to the new location.
What is the timing for the move?
We expect permitting to take 3 to 6 months and then approximately 8 to 12 months for construction which will begin first on the ECC. If needed, the SCA Administration has told us we can ask for a lease extension that they will present to their board.
What physical belongings will we be taking with us?
The plan is to take elements that have religious or special meaning to the congregation, such as the yahrzeit wall plaques. However, not everything will, or could, survive a move, and some items may be creatively utilized in ways not yet finalized. We will know more in the coming months and will share updates here, and we will be engaging a small group of congregants knowledgeable about our history to aid in this process.
APPROVING THE PURCHASE
Can the Board approve the purchase without the congregation’s approval?
No. The Temple Chai bylaws state that the membership must vote to approve the relocation of the synagogue.
When will the congregation get to vote? How will the members vote?
Voting will open at noon on October 23 and will close at noon on October 25. The results will be announced by noon on October 26.
The voting process will be entirely electronic and anonymous; you’ll vote using a Web browser. We will use the same process and software (eBallot) as we did when we voted to approve the election of Rabbi Segal as our Senior Rabbi.
The voting process will be entirely electronic and anonymous; you’ll vote using a Web browser. We will use the same process and software (eBallot) as we did when we voted to approve the election of Rabbi Segal as our Senior Rabbi.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
How will we pay for the property, the move, and the operating costs of the new campus?
The good news is that we have a good start with the proceeds of the sale. The rest will come from fundraising via a capital campaign. To be clear, it is absolutely necessary to raise money to create our new location, just as it would have been had Temple Chai voted to stay in its current location.
In addition to raising funds for our new home, we have already taken many steps to ensure our ongoing operating costs are not only well managed but are lower in the current fiscal year. A detailed three-year future budget forecast has been created to ensure that we will be able to fully sustain the needed operating costs of our congregation once we inhabit our new home.
In addition to raising funds for our new home, we have already taken many steps to ensure our ongoing operating costs are not only well managed but are lower in the current fiscal year. A detailed three-year future budget forecast has been created to ensure that we will be able to fully sustain the needed operating costs of our congregation once we inhabit our new home.
Who is involved in the fundraising effort?
The co-chairs of the capital campaign are Art Paikowsky and Lanny Lahr, two long-time Temple Chai members who are very experienced fundraisers. Additionally, David Weiner, president of the Board of Directors, as well as Rabbi Segal and the clergy team are very involved in fundraising.
Will I be asked to contribute to the capital campaign?
Our hope is that every Temple Chai member will contribute to the capital campaign at the level that seems right to each person and family. Every member of the Board of Directors and each member of our executive leadership staff team have pledged to the campaign.
What is the best way to decide how much to contribute to the capital campaign?
In the Talmud, Rabbi Tarfon taught “You are not obliged to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
Applied to this campaign, ideally every person who benefits from Temple Chai, along with those who also want to ensure a vibrant Jewish life in the Valley, will give at a meaningful level according to their ability. All gifts are respected and appreciated. (Because Temple Chai is a 501(c)3 organization, your gifts are tax deductible. Consult your own tax advisor for details.)
Applied to this campaign, ideally every person who benefits from Temple Chai, along with those who also want to ensure a vibrant Jewish life in the Valley, will give at a meaningful level according to their ability. All gifts are respected and appreciated. (Because Temple Chai is a 501(c)3 organization, your gifts are tax deductible. Consult your own tax advisor for details.)
What about those who contributed to past capital campaigns to build and sustain the property on Marilyn Rd.?
If you contributed to creating and sustaining the current property and building, thank you! Your generosity helped bring us to where we are today.
As Temple Chai looks forward, our needs are changing, and the landscape for creating and sustaining vibrant Jewish life in flexible and safe spaces is different than it was years ago. That’s why we have a new capital campaign. You helped Temple Chai’s become what it is today. We ask you to help create Temple Chai’s future.
As Temple Chai looks forward, our needs are changing, and the landscape for creating and sustaining vibrant Jewish life in flexible and safe spaces is different than it was years ago. That’s why we have a new capital campaign. You helped Temple Chai’s become what it is today. We ask you to help create Temple Chai’s future.
What if I am ready to give right now?
Contact Wendy Cohen, Executive Director, at (602) 971-1234 or wcohen@templechai.com. If you are already connected to David Weiner, Art Paikowsky, or Lanny Lahr, they would love to hear from you.
OPERATIONAL ISSUES
Will Temple Chai be Temple Chai if it moves to a new location?
All Temple Chai funds are carefully managed, and the sale revenue and capital campaign money are kept in a separate account from the congregation’s operating funds.
WILL TEMPLE CHAI continue to operate as we do now while we are under construction?
Yes. We will continue providing the same services, programs, and activities, including worship services, preschool (ECC), religious school, adult learning, social action, lifecycle events, pastoral care, and more, until we are ready to move and, of course, in our new space. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.
EVERYTHING ELSE
I have questions!
That’s great! Please ask because we have answers! Contact Wendy Cohen, Executive Director, at (602) 971-1234 or wcohen@templechai.com.
Will you be updating this page?
Yes, we will be adding more information as we proceed through this exciting process.
What else can I do?
Talk with your family and friends about the future you want to see and create for Temple Chai. Ask questions. Prepare for the vote. And tell everyone about all the wonderful things happening here!