Former ‘Temple to the Stars’ now home to Iranian Jews
by LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- Once proudly known as the "Temple to the Stars," Hollywood Temple Beth El has been purchased by the Iranian, The transfer of ownership reflects the generational, geographical and ethnic changes in the constantly evolving state of Los Ang
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As the congregants' children and grandchildren moved to the suburbs, Beth El's membership aged and dwindled.
Last year, the 1,200-seat sanctuary attracted barely 50 worshippers, most in their 70s and 80s.
Around the same time as this decline, a trickle -- and then a stream of Iranian Jews -- arrived in Los Angeles. They now number an estimated 30,000, the largest such concentration in the United States.
The synagogue complex changed hands earlier this month upon payment of $2.8 million and will now be known as the Hollywood Temple Beth El/Iranian American Jewish Center.
More than 600 Iranians each week and 2,500 during the High Holy Days are expected to attend traditional services in Persian and Hebrew. A smaller auditorium will be available to the remaining members of the old Ashkenazi congregation.
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