San Diego, CA (special) -- Rabbi Ben Kamin, addressing a crowd of members and prospective members at Congregation Beth Israel's still-being-built 70,000-square foot facility near University Town Centre drew on the thoughts of King Solomon to describe his feelings upon looking at a beautiful new House of God.

"Solomon beheld his structure (the first Temple in Jerusalem), the buildings that he helped design, and he actually spoke out to God," the Reform rabbi related on Sunday, Aug. 26.  "He said 'the building is beautiful God-glorious--but Your name is bigger than this place. How do we possibly incorporate Godliness into this house?' and he felt the answer, and it came from God to Solomon's heart; that in this place, when we invoke God's name, then the building's glory and the majesty of God will be paired."

Standing on the steps leading to the complex which architecturally invokes Jerusalem's Old City, Kamin added to the assembled crowd: "That is what we intend to do here with you for decades and decades to come: to invoke the name of God, which includes every human being, regardless of economic status, of how you became a Jew or why you became a Jew, or how you even hear God.

"If you are connected to someone who is Jewish and you are not a Jew, you are included in this House of God, because the name of God incorporates everything and everyone," the rabbi added.

With that the rabbi's clerical associates, Cantor Arlene Bernstein and Rabbi Sheila Goloboy, joined by the congregation's president, Jerry Goldberg, led the group in singing "H'nai Matov." The four leaders linked arms together in the first congregational ceremony at the property since the groundbreaking in January 2000.

The seven-building, $18.5 million complex includes a 500-seat sanctuary with adjoining social hall, a separate building with a 150-seat domed chapel, invoking the feeling of the congregation's current quarters at 3rd and Laurel Streets in downtown San Diego; administrative offices, and a large educational complex.  It was built on three acres that were purchased in 1993 from Donald Bren of the Irvine Company, which developed the La Jolla Gateway project next door.  Originally the developer had planned to use the

parcel for a third office building in the complex, even building a parking structure large enough to accommodate that use.  Beth Israel has made arrangements to use the parking structure for services in the evenings and on weekends, and leases parking spaces for staff and weekday visitors to use.

The event on Sunday, billed as a "sneak preview," was intended to acquaint Jewish families within a short driving radius, to investigate becoming members of the congregation that now counts 1,350 family "units" as members. 

Still under construction - with dedication ceremonies not planned until Oct. 28 - the tour route around the complex was lined with yellow "do not cross" construction tape and congregants were given numerous warnings to watch their steps.  "If you want to look at the majesty of these buildings, stop, look up, and then continue your walking," Simmons pleaded before the tour got underway.  "Every step of the way there are tripping hazards..."

Sure enough, two people lost their balance and fell to the ground, suffering what appeared to be minor cuts and bumps.  The congregation summoned paramedics to the scene just to make certain the man and woman were okay, and after being examined, the couple drove themselves home.

Board members and congregants wore ribbons and buttons to encourage prospective members to ask them questions.  For many, it was their first close look at the project. 

"I think it is great," board member Harry Guterman told HERITAGE.  "I guess history is being made here. It will be a wonderful temple, and it will bring in a lot of Jewish people from the area." Guterman said he was pleased that the social hall will be much larger than the one at the existing facility - and will more easily accommodate social functions like wedding and bar mitzvah receptions. Ann Mound said with more than twice the square footage than the congregation has at Third and

Laurel, it has more space for meeting rooms and therefore will be able to program more events simultaneously.

Kara Kobey said she was particularly excited about the greatly expanded educational facilities.  Beth Israel operates not only an after school religious program for public school students, but also has a full time day school, the only one in San Diego County which is affiliated with a specific synagogue.

"I am very happy," Kobey said.  "I have one child in the day school, my son in second grade, and my daughter in sixth-grade religious school, and I can't wait for the sanctuary to be finished."