ARLINGTON — Hanukkah began at sundown Friday, but one Jewish group had a different reason to celebrate a few hours earlier.
The Union for Reform Judaism closed a deal to purchase the Love Israel community’s 300-acre rural ranch southeast of Arlington for $4.2 million to use as a summer camp.
The 40 Israels living at the ranch had less cause for celebration. But despite being forced to leave their home after almost 20 years, founder Love Israel remained upbeat.
"I’m very excited myself," he said. "It gives me a chance to really show my stuff, get something going, make it work. I think it’s helped us become more of a unified family."
The deal was part of Love Israel’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to pay off a $5.2 million debt.
The sale requires the Israels to move within 45 days unless an extension can be negotiated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
The Israels, an alternative Christian religious community, racked up that debt during the 1990s on building and business projects that ran afoul of state and county land-use rules.
They maintained a quiet but noticeable profile in Arlington, running a few cafes, a fine dining restaurant and an annual Garlic Festival at their ranch that drew thousands.
The group’s origins are tied to the 1960s counterculture and the Bible. Love Israel, once Paul Erdman, assumed his name because of the group’s founding vision that "Love is real."
New community members take on virtues as first names. The last name is spelled the same as the nation of Israel because of the group’s biblical studies, said Serious Israel, a longtime member.
They are not associated with any Jewish organization.
The Israels’ bankruptcy attorney, Kevin Hanchett of Seattle, said the deal was unusual.
"This is an amazing result," Hanchett said. "When you have the value of the property that is less than the secured debt, typically the property is simply foreclosed."
The difference for the Israels was that some family members had outlying parcels on the ranch worth almost $1 million that were not attached to the bankruptcy debts. The bankruptcy only included the ranch’s core 261 acres, worth $3.3 million, Hanchett said.
So when the outlying properties were thrown into the deal, the two main bank creditors, Asia Europe Americas Bank and Frontier Bank, agreed to cut their losses and approve the sale.
One other creditor, Cascade Bank, objected, but the judge overruled. That bank will lose $86,000.
Rabbi David Fine, regional director for the Union for Reform Judaism, said his group is trying to work out a moving date that will be acceptable to both parties.
His group bought the land for use as a summer camp. It has 12 such camps nationwide, but the closest is in Northern California. He said specifics of the camp have not been worked out yet because of the county’s permit process.
"We’re going to follow the dictates of the county to build what will be a wonderful facility for youngsters and families," Fine said.
The rabbi reflected on the coincidence of closing the deal on the first day of Hanukkah.
"For the Reform Jewish community, the candles will glow a little bit brighter tonight," Fine said. "In addition, I will hope there’s warmth as well in the families of the Israel community."
The details of their relocations are still up in the air, Love Israel said.
Relatives who live at China Bend on the shores of Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington are preparing spaces for some of the Arlington families. Others might end up in Seattle, he said.
But Love Israel remained philosophical about having to leave.
"It’ll be an orderly retreat, an exodus, leaving Egypt for the country. I’ve been able to live in a park. Now I’ve got to park myself somewhere else."
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
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