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11/7/2024
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Speaker Shekarchi joins Carolyn Rafaelian as she donates historic Temple Beth El building to Center for Southeast Asians
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 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Entrepreneur and businesswoman Carolyn Rafaelian has donated the historic Temple Beth El property on Broad Street in Providence to the Center for Southeast Asians. The National Register of Historic Places building has been vacant since 2006 when the synagogue was officially closed. The long-vacant property will now be transformed by the Center for Southeast Asians into a new community center serving the residents of the greater Providence region.
"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 Carolyn Rafaelian. “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. I am so pleased to donate this unique building to such an important project, and to the Center for Southeast Asians, an organization with a proven track record of providing needed services and improving lives.”
“We are humbled by the donation of Temple Beth El, a truly beautiful and historic building,” said Channavy Chhay, Executive Director of the Center for Southeast Asians. “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. We thank Carolyn Rafaelian for her generous donation and for believing in our vision to breathe new life into the Temple Beth El building.”
“Carolyn’s legacy of charitable giving is legendary,” said Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph 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.”
“This historic building was once the home to our congregation, and a gathering place for our Jewish community,” said Sarah Mack, Rabbi of the Temple Beth El congregation now located on Orchard Ave in Providence. “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.”
"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 Mayor Brett P. 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."
With the donation of the building complete, the Center of Southeast Asians is embarking on a $16 million campaign to raise funds for the restoration and renovation of the Temple Beth El building into a modern community center. Once funds are secured, the renovation project is anticipated to take approximately five years.
For more information, contact:
Emily Martineau, Deputy Director of Communications for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 323
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2466
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