A historic synagogue building in Providence that has been vacant for more than a decade will be transformed into a new community center, thanks to a generous donation and a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign.
Entrepreneur Carolyn Rafaelian donated the former Temple Beth El on Broad Street to the Center for Southeast Asians. The National Register of Historic Places building has stood vacant since the synagogue’s 2006 closure.
The Center for Southeast Asians plans to renovate the building into a new community center serving the residents of the greater Providence region. The organization plans to raise $16 million for the restoration and renovation project, which is expected to take approximately five years.
“Temple Beth El is a special building that needs a very special concept to bring it back to life to once again serve the community,” said Rafaelian in a statement. “That is why I am donating the building to the Center for Southeast Asians to renovate into a new community center that will provide critical services and a beautiful gathering place for the greater Providence community.”
Channavy Chhay, Executive Director of the Center for Southeast Asians, expressed gratitude for the donation and emphasized the organization’s commitment to preserving the building’s historic character.
“We are humbled by the donation of Temple Beth El, a truly beautiful and historic building,” said Chhay. “We understand how important this building is to the South Providence community, and that is why we are committed to renovating Temple Beth El into a beautiful new community center that will serve the residents of greater Providence. We are committed to renovating the building in a way that retains its historic character and honors its past as a synagogue.”
Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi praised Rafaelian’s generosity and highlighted the importance of the donation for the community.
“Carolyn’s legacy of charitable giving is legendary,” said Shekarchi. “This is yet another wonderful and meaningful example of her generosity and commitment to Rhode Island. By saving Temple Beth El and gifting it to an organization so deeply rooted in this community, she brings new life to a historic and iconic building, and new opportunity for the Southeast Asian Center.”
Rabbi Sarah Mack of the Temple Beth El congregation expressed her satisfaction with the building’s future, stating that it will once again serve as a vibrant community center.
“This historic building was once the home to our congregation, and a gathering place for our Jewish community,” said Mack. “Over the years, many in our congregation have asked what is happening with the Temple Beth El Broad Street synagogue, and now I am so pleased to share that it will be renovated and once again turned into a vibrant community center.”
Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley lauded the donation and the Center for Southeast Asians’ role in the project.
“Carolyn Rafaelian’s donation of the historic Temple Beth El building is a profound gift to Providence, underscoring our City’s legacy of community, heritage, and opportunity,” said Smiley. “The Center for Southeast Asians is an excellent choice to steward this property as an inclusive community hub for families to connect, learn and thrive. Thank you to Carolyn and the Center for Southeast Asians for this incredible vision and resource.”
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.