The 40 members of the Love Israel community moved one step closer today to leaving their rural Arlington property.
Judge Karen Overstreet of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle approved a $3.3 million sale of the roughly 300-acre property to the Union for Reform Judaism, a denomination representing about 900 Jewish congregations throughout North America.
The Israels, an alternative Christian-based religious group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 27 to stave off foreclosure sales by at least two banks. The sale will help the Israels pay off a debt of at least $5 million.
The Israels and the Union for Reform Judaism, which are not affiliated, have until Dec. 18 to close the deal, according to court records.
Love Israel said this morning that he is not sure where his group will move. Some extended members of the family have waterfront property along Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington, so that might be an option. The Israels are hoping to negotiate a deal that would allow them to stay on the property until the end of the school year. Representatives from the Union for Reform Judaism would not comment about such negotiations.
“We’re going to see this as an adventure,” Love Israel said.
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