Members of the Austin Fire Department receive a standing ovation by the members of Congregation Beth Israel for their part in putting out the fire that damaged the synagogue in 2021, in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Credit: Evan L’Roy/Special to American-Statesman

By Jakob Cohen

On November 1, Rabbi Steven Folberg stood, as he does every week, at the lectern of Congregation Beth Israel’s transitional sanctuary. And behind him, as it does every day, the Ner Tamid of Congregation Beth Israel glimmered, constructed from the melted shards of CBI’s stained-glass windows burned in the 2021 arson attack.

Gathered at CBI that night was a group of 150 people, seated in chairs spanning the newly renovated space. But unlike other nights of services and celebrations, that evening was built around a different purpose: remembering the past and preparing for the future of CBI. The assembled group, including members of CBI, the Austin City Council, the surrounding neighborhoods, Austin Police Department and Fire Department, the FBI, and representatives from organizations across Austin, were at CBI for an event called “CBI Strong: Two Years Later,” a partnership with Council Member Alison Alter and the City of Austin’s We All Belong campaign.

“Part of what tonight is about is recognizing that even in terrible darkness, there is the possibility of finding light,” Rabbi Folberg said.

During the event, Council Member Alter, CBI’s clergy, and CBI Executive Director Jake Cohen thanked congregational members Alan and Lori Adelman and Harold Wilensky, as well as first responders who stepped up to aid the congregation during the arson. Adelman rushed into the sanctuary as soon as he arrived to grab the congregation’s torah scrolls and remove them from possible damage. Wilensky coordinated much of the response and was the first person on the scene from CBI. Members of the Austin Fire Department who put out the fire were greeted with a standing ovation from the community.

The CBI Strong event also marked an important turning point for Congregation Beth Israel, as it begins a community-led visioning process to determine the future of their sanctuary and the Shoal Creek campus.

The process will be grounded in the congregations’ values, mission, hopes and dreams for the future. The goal is to build a shared vision for the future of CBI.

The congregation has enlisted the services of Ben Heimsath, principal architect of Heimsath Architects and Jessica Weaver, founder of Weaver Philanthropic Strategies to guide their work. The planning and a congregational feasibility study will take place from December through May 2024.

The process will include multiple community vision sessions at CBI, starting with a gathering on December 6 at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit bethisrael.org.