AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly two years later, the charred remnants of a hate crime remains, but Rabbi Kelly Levy says from that fire, Congregation Beth Israel rose.

“What we’ve experienced as a community, what we’ve endured and how we’ve grown and come together, established our strength and perseverance, it’s been truly remarkable," Rabbi Levy said. 

The Ner Tamid lamp above the ark was crafted by Stanton Studios in Waco and was partly created with materials recovered from the fire. Each flame took approximately one day to create for the eternal light artwork. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

It’s been a time of healing for the oldest existing Jewish community in Austin. The San Marcos man responsible for the crime pleaded guilty to arson and hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to religious property. After the initial hearing, the expectation is the sentencing, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, will be sometime later this fall.

“When you see the aftermath, really the love overshadows the hate, the people that have come out of every corner of the earth to support,” Rabbi Levy said.

It has been quite a wait for members of a Central Texas house of worship that dates to the late 1800s. From donations to a generous stay at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, after almost two years, Beth Israel officially transition to a new sanctuary this weekend for their first Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“Back in this space, knowing that the people that worked so hard to make this into fruition, they did it because they care,” Rabbi Levy said. 

At the center of this labor of love, long-time congregation member and project lead Laura Corman, along with Heimsath Architects and Stanton Studios, played a huge part in creating a space for celebration. 

Congregation Beth Israel member and project lead Laura Corman looks at the new sanctuary space opened nearly two years after an arson destroyed part of the previous worship area. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

“We transitioned into a space that has our Jewish worship elements and also represents all of us,” Corman said. “For me, it’s extraordinary.” 

While the plans for the previous sanctuary are currently in discussion, this new build in the Smith Auditorium of the facility is a celebration of the old and the new. It features menorahs that dating back to its original existence, along with stained glass windows and a Ner Tamid lamp, an eternal flame made of materials salvaged from the fire. 

The oldest active synagogue in Austin, Congregation Beth Israel dates to the late 1800’s and has designated historical landmark status by the city. The arson caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and the future of the old sanctuary space is currently being discussed by its board members. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

“I will be sitting next to the people I love and experiencing a new year together,” Corman said.

With Texas facing an increasing rise in antisemitism — 212 incidents last year —it’s a vital message of hope and togetherness increasingly more valuable as the year turns to 5784 in the Jewish calendar.

“We have survived a pandemic together, we have survived a hate crime together, and we’re still here,” Rabbi Levy said. “Resilience is a beautiful thing.”