 Originally sized for 75 families , Temple Beth Israel 's Portland Street building had been renovated and enlarged over the years to 7 @,@ 500 square feet ( 700 m2 ) to accommodate 250 families and 150 students . Despite these additions and the loss of members to Congregation Ahavas Torah , the synagogue was not large enough , particularly during the High Holidays , when extra space had to be rented . In 1997 the congregation purchased the property of the University Street Christian Church for $ 500 @,@ 000 ( today $ 740 @,@ 000 ) , and began planning for a new facility . The members considered renovating the existing building on the property , but felt a new building would better suit their requirements , and razed the church . 
 Originally sized for 75 families , Temple Beth Israel <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>Portland Street building <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> been renovated and enlarged over the years to 7 @,@ 500 square feet ( 700 m2 ) to accommodate 250 families and 150 students . Despite <a href='None' title='3'><mark>these</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='4'><mark>additions</mark></a> and the loss of members to Congregation Ahavas Torah , the synagogue <a href='negative_concord' title='5'><mark>was</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='6'><mark>not</mark></a>large enough , particularly during the High Holidays , when extra space had to be rented . In 1997 the congregation<a href='been_done' title='7'><mark></mark></a> purchased the property of the University Street Christian Church for $ 500 @,@ 000 ( today $ 740 @,@ 000 ) , and began planning for a new facility . The members considered renovating the existing building on the property , but felt a new building would better suit their requirements , and razed the church . 
Originally sized fa 75 families , Temple Beth Israel  Portland Street building done been renovated and enlarged over da yrs to 7 @,@ 500 square feet ( 700 m2 ) to accommodate 250 families and 150 students . Despite no additions and the loss of members to Congregation Ahavas Torah , tdasynagogue ain't bigass enough , particularly during thdaigh Holidays , when extra space had to be rented . In 1997 thedangregation done copped the daperty of the University Street Christian Church ffir$ 500 @,@ 000 ( todayy $ 740 @,@ 000 ) , and began plannin for a new facility . The members considered renovating the existing building on the pdaerty , but felt a new building would betta suit their requirements , and razed the church .