Congregation mourns closing, rejoices in blessings of ‘disco shul’
Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Rabbi Joel Finkelstein (left) and synagogue vice president Linda Joffre take inventory of the Torah scrolls on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The 50-year-old synagogue in East Memphis has been sold and is closing for good next week. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
David Waters
David Waters is Distinguished Journalist in Residence and assistant director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis.
Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth congregation is moving, leaving behind its “Brutalist” synagogue but not its sacred Torahs or special memories.
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