Am David building sold, contents scheduled for public sale

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Temple Am David, which has been in receivership since November 2015, has sold its temple building to the Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society Inc. The group paid $400,001 and the closing is expected to take place in September.

The building will become the first Hindu temple in Rhode Island and will serve more than 300 families across the state.

Ted Orson, receiver for Temple Am David, said he was pleased the highest bidder was a religious group. “I’m happy that the building was built for faith and it will remain a building of faith,” he said.

A group of congregants from Am David continue to hold Shabbat services in the building and discussions are underway that might allow them to continue to use the building to worship on Shabbat and other holidays after the sale, said Orson.

Meanwhile, Orson and Giovanni La Terra Bellina, of the Providence law firm of Orson and Brusini, said a public sale of the building’s contents is scheduled for Aug. 28.

The contents of the building, including eight Torahs, artwork, Judaica, items from the gift shop, furniture, and fixtures are scheduled to be sold during a fixed price sale from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the 28th. Immediately following that sale will be an auction of everything but the Torahs. Also to be sold are two burial plots at Lincoln Park Cemetery, in Warwick. The kitchen items will stay with the building.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to see the items for sale on Aug. 25. The Torahs that are not sold will be placed with a broker. The receiver won’t close the books until the Torahs are sold.

“We felt it wouldn’t be dignified to have a public auction of Torahs,” said Orson. “We are told that with a Torah, you have to be patient until there’s a need.”

Pricing is based on appraisals by outside experts, including Elizabeth Berman, a Judaic appraiser, and Rabbi Kevin Hale, a Torah sofer.

Orson said the fate of the memorial plaques is still to be decided. It is possible that if the congregation continues to worship in the building, the plaques may stay there. Otherwise, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island  will work with Orson to find a place for the plaques. Family members who would like their plaques can request them.

Orson, who has served as a receiver in dozens of cases, said this was a different experience for him.

“It’s a different thing all together to be selling Torahs than widgets.  It was important to maintain the dignity of the assets and religious items that they deserve.”

“Am David,” he said “had been the center of so many people’s lives.”

According to Orson, after all the sales, “it is unlikely that all the creditors will be paid in full.

“Our goal and duty is to pay as much as possible,” he said.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of The Jewish Voice.

Am David, receivership,