Shaare Emeth, B'nai El 'Collaboration': Shared Facilities, New Mission Serving Older Worshippers

New details are beginning to emerge around a plan for a so-called "collaboration" between the Shaare Emeth Congregation and the B'nai El Congregation.

The plans call for a "new mission" for the 160-year-old B'nai El congregation, one that would focus on serving Jewish worshippers from 50 to 75 years of age, apparently still in the B'nai El facilities.

At the same time, according to a report Wednesday by The Jewish Light, the arrangement would mean the B'nai El temple would essentially relocate to Shaare Emeth’s campus at Ladue and Ballas roads.

The arrangement first came to light on Sunday night in an email forwarded to the public and congregation members from Shaare Emeth.

That statement said the two congregations would "collaborate" in an arrangement designed to "repurpose" the B'nai El congregation.

That plan was described as a "new mission" for B'nai El; the statement said Shaare Emeth would share its "facilities as a home for B'nai El's historic legacy, administrative base and casual gathering space." 

Since then, representatives of Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road in Creve Coeur, and B'nai El, at 11411 North 40 Drive in Ladue, have been tight-lipped about the details beyond the statement.

"It is a new synagogue model that has been created to meet the needs of...the 50-to-75-year old market," Amye Carrigan, co-president of B'nai El, told the Light. "It speaks to B’nai El’s pioneering spirit."

The arrangement requires the approval of B'nai El's congregation; Shaare Emeth's board has approved the arrangement, the Light reported.

The Light reported that B’nai El last year lost the Saul Mirowitz Day School-Reform Jewish Academy as a tenent. It said B'nai El had a facility designed for 800 families, built decades ago, but now has a congregation of about 135 families.

The B'nai El structure and property is for up for sale.