Temple Beth Sholom to move to new complex

      If Temple Beth Sholom were a looking glass for the Jewish community, it would be smeared with thousands of fingerprints.
      Everywhere are signs from the past. Countless memorial plaques on walls, chairs and podiums.
      Outside, the temple's hallmark Burning Bush sculpture has directed the temple's congregation to services for more than a decade. Nearby, four memorial benches form a circle on the grassy lawn.
      For 47 years, Temple Beth Sholom's congregation has walked through the same six-foot, heavily carved wooden doors. Inside, the people have marveled at the "Creation Wall," a stained glass mural on the sanctuary wall.
      Now, Temple Beth Sholom has plans to build a new, 38,000-square-foot complex on the northwest corner of Town Center Drive and Heavenwood Street.
      The project is expected to be completed in December 1999. For now, the 400 families will hold services at the Hebrew Academy, 9700 W. Hillpoint Road.
      The Spring Meadows Presbyterian Church bought the building for $1 million in August. Beth Sholom has two years to move its treasures from its home of 50 years, said Sandi Mallin, temple president.
      "Everywhere you look there something else we've forgotten about," said Mallin.
      The temple held services during the High Holy days and have a few more bar mitzvahs scheduled for the winter.
      Mallin said the new owners of the building have been very good about sharing space during the transition.
      Carl Robbins, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, said the new buildings are a "perfect fit" for his congregation of 250. He held services in the sanctuary for the first time Oct. 4. He plans to open the adjacent preschool next month.
      He said his congregation understands it will take time to move more than four decades of history.
      "You can't just pack up and leave in one day," he said.
      Currently, the sanctuary is a mixture of Christian icons, such as the cross, and Jewish icons, such as the menorah depicted on the stained glass on the walls.
      The chairs have the names of the Las Vegas founding fathers. One plate bears the name of Nathan Mack, who died recently in his Los Angeles home. The businessman, who helped found the Thomas & Mack Center and several area businesses, attended High Holy days at the temple.
      "Somebody said people have left pieces of their lives here," said Mallin. "I think it's true."