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Israel

Third Temple reverie finds crowdfunding

August 7, 2014 18:34
Rabbi Richman

By

Isabel De Bertodano

1 min read

A group with ambitions to build the Third Temple in Jerusalem has turned to internet crowdfunding to raise capital for the project.

The Temple Institute hopes to raise $100,000 (£59k) on the Indiegogo website, where small amounts of money can be invested by members of the public into projects they believe have potential or value.

Almost $20,000 (£11k) has been raised since the campaign's launch on 27 July, and contributions will go towards paying a firm of architects that has already begun work on plans for the building on Temple Mount. The estimated cost of producing detailed plans of the complex is $300,000 (£178k).

The institute, which is run by Rabbi Chaim Richman, offers incentives to those who contribute during the six-week fundraising campaign. For example, a modest donation of $54 (£32) is rewarded with photographs of the garments of the high priest, and has currently attracted 25 donors. A top donation of $50,000 (£29k) offers a preview of the architectural plans as a (so far unclaimed) reward.