WILMINGTON, N.C. — A historic temple in downtown Wilmington is getting a $500,000 renovation.

Funds were raised to repair parts of Temple of Israel that were damaged by Hurricane Florence and from age.  

The Temple of Israel is the oldest Jewish house of worship in North Carolina. It was built in 1876, and it’s one of 30 synagogues in the state from that time.

Joshua Heinberg, the temple president, says the 150-year-old structure needs some work.

“So this is very typical of the damage that we saw after Hurricane Florence,” Heinberg said. “We just had so much water that it overwhelmed the systems that were in place at the time.”

They’re going to keep as much of what’s original as possible, including the stained glass windows and an organ from 1906. 

The temple will receive a new heating and cooling system, new electrical wiring throughout and a new rainfall management system so that the issues that arose after Hurricane Florence won’t be repeated.

The restoration means everything to Heinberg, who says the temple has been an important part of his life.

“My son’s bar mitzvah was here, my sister’s wedding, my father’s funeral,” Heinberg said. “It’s an important part of my story.”“My son’s bar mitzvah was here, my sister’s wedding, my father’s funeral,” Heinberg said. “It’s an important part of my story.”

And it’s not just Heinberg — the temple means something to his entire community.

“Hear the stories of people who write in,” Heinberg said. “They say my mother was a singer in the temple in the '70s or my grandparents were members in the '60s and they used to bring me to services.”

People from all over pitched in to make sure that it can continue.

“Our entire community, the city of Wilmington, the state of North Carolina,” Heinberg said. “Actually people from all over this country and other countries have really stepped up to contribute.”

Once restoration is complete this fall, they’ll be able to make more memories in the place that Heinberg and others call a spiritual home.