ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
Officers of Liverpool's Stapely Jewish home are to investigate closure and taking space in a non-Jewish care facility.
A review into the home's future is being undertaken following the collapse of a plan to relocate to the Childwall Synagogue site.
Liverpool Jewish Housing Association chairman Alan Tinger pledged: "We will definitely have a Jewish care home in Liverpool." Yet "time is running out" for Stapely to relocate before its Victorian premises in Sefton Park fall below regulatory standards.
Mr Tinger said the Tenant Services Authority, England's social housing regulator, had agreed to fund a survey to explore viable options including selling and redeveloping the Stapely building. It would also look at examples of modern care homes incorporating a Jewish wing and kosher facilities.
Merseyside Jewish Community Care has been commissioned to carry out the study, which will include contributions from community members.
Childwall Synagogue chairman Norman Goldstone said the community had "lost out" by the breakdown of the relocation plan. A proposed £400,000 refurbishment of the shul would be postponed for at least two years.
"We are going to do essential work only, costing £75-100,000.That's just for keeping the building going." Money for the improvements to the shul's heating, electricals and roof would be raised through communal donations.