CHRIS SEGAL
Perspectives Editor
Busloads of tourists may start flocking to Malibu to experience what architects can do with millions of dollars and an ocean view. The Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue is constructing a modern temple that could impress more people than Cher’s cliffside Tuscan mansion.
MJCS is undergoing a major construction project on a five-acre plot of land just a few hundred yards north of John Tyler Drive. The center, currently housed on the north side of the plot, has been in modular units since 1991. The new synagogue is scheduled to open Dec. 1.
The 15,000 square-foot temple, designed by Ed Niles and Mike Barsochini, incorporates wood and glass to highlight nature. The main sanctuary holds 250 seats underneath the glass roof, but the space can accommodate up to 1,400 people.
The new synagogue “will serve as a cornerstone for prayer, education, celebration, community outreach and fun,” according to the MJCS Web site. Construction began after the congregation raised nearly $7.5 million for the project, but the total cost is closer to $10 million. The center hopes to raise a final $2 million to completely own the building.
In the meantime, the temple still functions and serves the Jewish population of Malibu. MJCS conducts Shabbat, or the day of rest, services at a location that is quintessentially Malibu — the beach.
“We have Friday night services and Saturday morning services,” wrote Cantor Marcelo Gindlin in an e-mail. “During summer, we have Shabbat at the beach on scheduled Friday nights.”
Shabat services at the beach are a uniquely Californian endeavor. In the past, Jewish services were reserved for the temple so that people would not form their own religions, according to senior Ken Primeau, a religion minor.
“In early Judaism, it would have been a big deal (to have services at the beach). All services had to be done in the temple,” Primeau said. “That’s been destroyed as of 70 A.D., where the temple is being used for teaching.”
The center and synagogue was founded by Sheldon and Emily Lodmer 25 years ago. It has not always been located a few hundred feet from Pepperdine’s campus in Malibu, though. Before the purchase of the land, members met at private homes, a Methodist church, the Malibu Civic Center and Webster Elementary School.
MJCS has 225 member families. Though they come from all over Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the synogogue is mostly active in the Malibu religious community.
“We participate in the Thanks-
giving ecumenical service every year,” Gindlin said. “Our rabbi has a fluid dialogue with the different religious leaders here in Malibu.”
On a larger scale, MJCS is a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF), a self-proclaimed liberal Jewish movement in North America. The federation serves more than 100 congregations by providing educational resources, consultations and musical recordings keyed to the liturgy.
“We carry the values of the Reconstructionist movement, and we use their prayer book, called Kol Haneshema,” Gindlin said.
MJCS employs a teaching staff, a rabbi and the center’s first full-time cantor.
“The cantor is the authority in all matters pertaining to the liturgical chant of the congregation in the areas of Jewish music, and serves as the guide to the congregation in all matters pertaining to it,” Gindlin said.
Gindlin was born and educated in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He attended the Latin America Rabbinical Seminary and has a degree in music theory. As the cantor, he is also responsible for the music at the weekly temple services and for Jewish holiday services.
The largest services of the year include the High Holy Day, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The center also provides educational opportunities for children and adults. The religious schools serve students from kindergarten through ninth grade. The curriculum is based on Jewish values, Hebrew language, world history, comparative religion and ritual observance.
of Jewish music, and serves as the guide to the congregation in all matters pertaining to it,” Gindlin said.
Gindlin was born and educated in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He attended the Latin America Rabbinical Seminary and has a degree in music theory. As the cantor, he is also responsible for the music at the weekly temple services and for Jewish holiday services.
The largest services of the year include the High Holy Day, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The center also provides educational opportunities for children and adults. The religious schools serve students from kindergarten through ninth grade. The curriculum is based on Jewish values, Hebrew language, world history, comparative religion and ritual observance.
09-29-2005
