2 West Valley Synagogues Approve Merger Plan : Congregations: Beth Kodesh of West Hills and Temple Beth Ami of Reseda will bring together 850 member families.

Two West Valley synagogues--one with building plans and the other facing declining membership--have voted to merge and form a new, 850-family congregation.

Congregation Beth Kodesh of West Hills favored the merger plan 254 to 124 and Temple Beth Ami of Reseda approved the proposal 145 to 50 in separate votes taken Thursday night.

“I think (the merger) will help us to increase our outreach to unaffiliated Jews and give us an opportunity to come up with new educational programs,” said Rabbi Eli Schochet, who will lead the services and deliver the sermons for the merged congregation.

Schochet, 59, came to Congregation Beth Kodesh in 1960 shortly after he was ordained.

Both synagogues are affiliated with the Conservative branch of Judaism. A name for the new congregation will be chosen before the merger becomes effective July 1, officials said.

Beth Kodesh, which has 525 individuals and couples as members, has been proceeding with building plans for land it owns on Valley Circle Boulevard.

“With the decision to merge, the building project becomes even more viable,” said Judy Krigsman, the current executive director for Beth Kodesh who will become the administrator for the new congregation.

Temple Beth Ami’s rabbi, David Vorspan, 47, said he will assume duties as executive director although he will lead contemporary worship services and assist at the pulpit during the High Holy Days.

Beth Ami had merged with Temple Ner Maarev of Encino about three years ago, but the consolidation fell apart nine months later. “There were important differences in style that could not be overcome,” Vorspan said.

Vorspan did not foresee problems with this merger. “We are as traditional as Beth Kodesh has been except for the use of a guitar during our twice-monthly Saturday services,” the rabbi said. “The leadership of Beth Kodesh understands the need for alternative ways to pray.”

Beth Ami has recently faced “a gradually declining membership and Hebrew school enrollment,” said Clara Rosenbluth, the congregation’s president.

“In looking ahead, we didn’t see a promising future for growth given the changing demographics in Reseda,” Rosenbluth said.

“With today’s economy and salaries, it is very difficult for a small congregation to provide all the services and programs we want,” she said.

Rosenbluth said there are no plans to sell Temple Beth Ami. The merged congregation will hold Sabbath worship at Beth Kodesh’s facility at 7401 Shoup Ave. starting in July, but Beth Ami’s larger sanctuary will be used for holiday services and its buildings may be needed for other functions, she said.