After thirty nine years, Temple Beth Or of the Deaf was closed down in November, 1999. This decision was made by their board of directors because they could no longer continue its activities due to their declining membership, a drain that had been persisting since the 1980’s. Temple Beth Or was founded in 1962 by a group of Jewish Deaf and hearing individuals including parents who banded together to have Sabbath and holiday services and have their Deaf children team about their Jewish heritage, traditions and customs through education and religious activities. After using various hearing temples, membership grew to over 200 members who participated in High Holy Days, Passover, Purim and Chanukah services as well as Bar and Bas Mitzvahs. In disbanding the organization, board members donated their Torah to Philadelphia Hebrew Association of the Deaf (PHAD).