Leder, citing the tenet of Judaism that directs its practitioners to make the world a better place.

NPR: $150 Million Reboot For Hollywood Temple To Stars

It was that diaspora, however, coupled with the building's historic Hollywood pedigree, that strengthened Leder's resolve to stay.

NPR: $150 Million Reboot For Hollywood Temple To Stars

When he became the congregation's senior pastor nine years ago, Leder and his board of directors quickly realized one of their first tasks in accomplishing that goal would be doing something about the aging temple.

NPR: $150 Million Reboot For Hollywood Temple To Stars

Indeed, just rehabbing the existing building would have been cheaper, Leder noted, but that wouldn't have upheld the vision that Mayer, the Warner brothers, Laemmle and the others had when they moved a congregation founded downtown in 1862 to the edge of a barley field and laid the foundation for what would become one of the city's most vibrant areas.

NPR: $150 Million Reboot For Hollywood Temple To Stars