The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas is facing a major challenge — a $100,000 challenge.
Neil and Trudie Prior have pledged that amount to the Campaign to Preserve the St. Thomas Synagogue, but to receive their gift, the Congregation must raise a matching amount by Dec. 31, 2000. Only new gifts will count toward the challenge grant.
"In effect this doubles the value of every new gift or pledge to help restore the Synagogue," said Donald Pomeranz, a past president of the Congregation and head of the Campaign Committee. "I feel confident we will rise to the Priors' challenge."
The St. Thomas Synagogue, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark, is the third oldest in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest in continuous use under the American flag. The Congregation dates to 1796, the building to 1833. Named "Bracha V'Shalom U'Gmiluth Chasadim (Blessing and Peace and Loving Deeds)," it has opened its doors over the years to the world — to Jews and non-Jews, residents and travelers, worshippers and visitors.
The comprehensive restoration project, which began in mid-1999, is now projected to cost $450,000. To date $225,000 has been received or pledged.
"The Priors' gift, with its match, will bring us very close to our goal," Pomeranz said, offering special thanks to Trudie Prior, president/general manager at Coral World and the Congregation's president, and Neil Prior, president/CEO of Atlantic Tele-Network and an active member of the Congregation.
The restoration of the 167-year-old Synagogue building — a classic example of Danish colonial architecture and a major attraction in downtown Charlotte Amalie to visitors of all faiths — is the most important capital project to be undertaken by this generation of the Hebrew Congregation.
"Though we all loved the exposed stone and rubble walls, we recognized that the experts were right — if we did not restore the walls to the original design, we would risk the collapse of the entire structure," Pomeranz said. "With new plaster walls, new electrical wiring for lights and fans, and new shutters and doors, our beautiful Synagogue will be in prime form for the new millennium and for generations to come."
The Campaign to Preserve the St. Thomas Synagogue is focusing on its own congregants and on friends and supporters worldwide. Donations and dedications of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a donor tablet in etched glass in the Weibel Museum, adjacent to the sanctuary.
For more information on the Campaign, call the Synagogue at 340-774-4312 or e-mail hebrewcong@islands.vi.
