Crowdfunding Campaign for Third Temple Close to Goal

More than $70,000 raised to draw up blueprints for the Third Temple, as campaign to restore Judaism's holiest site goes viral.
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services 24A crowdfunding initiative to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem has gained steam, the Temple Institute stated Wednesday, and is close to reaching its $100,000 goal.

The indiegogo campaign has reached close to $71,000 in fifty days, according to the Institute, and is expected to surpass the target before the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) next week.

Over 700 pledges have come in from more than 25 countries worldwide, it said; the campaign page itself has received 10,000 shares on Facebook, while the promotional pitch video, which depicts a digital rendition of the Holy Temple on the modern day Temple Mount has been viewed by over 150,000 people.

The funds raised from the Indiegogo campaign will be used to continue the research of the Institute and to commission additional architectural plans.

The architects, the Institute says, will combine Jewish law with modern technology to prepare for a fully modern third Temple, Kosher to the letter of the law but including modifications like underground parking, heating and computerized washing stations that minimize water waste.

This is the third annual campaign the Temple Institute has launched for its project to draw up architectural plans, which began three years ago with the Chamber of Hewn Stone. An online 3D video rendition of the Chamber can be viewed below.

Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute, explained why they chose the novel approach of fund raising through crowed funding.

"We are constantly looking for ways to include as many people as possible in our mission to rebuild the Holy Temple," Rabbi Richman said. "This is not about one group or organization; it's about bringing about a spiritual reunification of mankind, today with the help of the internet our message is resonating across the globe."

"Our decision to use Indiegogo for this campaign was an extension of our success on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter," he added.

This year's initiative is part of its wider campaigns to train kohen-priests for Temple duties and rebuild the instruments in the priestly services.

Crowdfunding for the blueprints ends next week, on September 25.  AS7