The Jewish Temple Saga
by Dean Gray and Andrew Morales
July 8, 2010


Over the last two years, the Desert Valley Star reported on the Jewish temple in Desert Hot Springs. This story took a lot of surprising twists and turns, which still aren't over. Events unfolded suggesting a conspiracy or at the very least, sloppy management of city funds used for the purchase. Follow our story through the timeline of events climaxing in the city’s ultimate decision of the future of the temple.

PART I
City Buys Community Center Again – August 27, 2008
The old Jewish temple sitting abandoned on Pierson St. is on the verge of being bought by the city to renovate it to become a community center.

PART II
Money Machine Intrigue – April 30, 2009
A string of unusual real estate transactions cause the new rabbi/minister of the Jewish temple to become Desert Hot Springs’ newest millionaire.

PART III
Temple Purchase Tribulations – May 6, 2009
Gone unchecked, the million-dollar conspiracy is finally taken to the city council. The shocking vote of the city council brings this supposed conspiracy into a new light.

PART IV
Temple Demolition Proposed – May 12, 2009
The safety engineers tell the city council that the renovation project is not a good idea and demolition must proceed. At this point, the cost of renovation is more than the cost of the building back in 2008.

PART V
Another “Ooopsie” For the City – June 26, 2009
The city contends the engineer’s inspection in May about the demolition of the Jewish temple, but they didn’t have to wait for long to figure out who came clean.

PART VI
County May Shift Health Clinic Location – July 13, 2009
A $7 million health clinic land purchase by Riverside County seems to have gone out the window when their eyes become fixed on the controversial temple.

PART VII
Jewish Temple Becomes a Fire Station – February 2, 2010
The city’s fire department takes the Jewish temple under their wings, but Councilman Matas is the driving force behind this acquisition.

The continuation of the Jewish Temple Saga is coming to the Desert Valley Star website VERY soon.