Rabbi Amy Levin made an observation Sunday afternoon that few who know anything about the Bible or the history of the Jewish people would dispute.

“Our people have been plucked up and re-rooted endlessly,” she said.

This was not a lament, but rather an exhortation on the benefits of change and what will happen as Temple Torat Yisrael pulls up its roots in Cranston, where it has been a part of the community since 1952, and re-plants itself on a wooded 6.2-acre lot on Middle Road in East Greenwich.

Levin was the last to speak at groundbreaking ceremonies for the 18,000 square foot synagogue that will house a sanctuary with seating for 240 people, social hall together with an education wing of classrooms, faculty workroom, administrative offices and the rabbis study. Site clearing is to start this fall with construction beginning in the spring. Completion of the $4.5 million project is expected within a year. The temple aims to sell the Cranston property for about $2 million and raise the rest in the fundraising drive underway.

Levin compared what the temple is now going through to a plant that has outgrown its pot. With re-potting it will grow new roots, be revitalized and flourish.

“Torat Yisrael is beautiful already,” she said, “when we are planted in this beautiful place we will become even more beautiful.”

The decision to move didn’t come easily or without examining the options. Among those options were renovations to the existing temple on Park Avenue, estimated to cost at least $1 million and merging with another temple. In the end the decision was to do what many members of the congregation had already done – pull up stakes and move to the south.

“It made a lot of sense to be here for the membership and for expansion,” says Frank Prosnitz, a past president of the temple.

The temple will be the first in East Greenwich, a fact applauded by protestant clergy during the ceremony, and the only one between the town and Narragansett.

“There’s a shifting population,” Prosnitz said, “they’re moving to different areas. It’s about convenience and they’re more likely to participate.”

Prosnitz does not see the new temple, the first to be built in Rhode Island in decades although no one was sure exactly when the last one was built, resulting from a growing Jewish population. He estimated the states Jewish population at 17,000 and holding.

“There are more deer in Rhode Island than Jews,” he said.

Nonetheless, the decision to relocate has already brought new families to the temple. Andrew Sholes, building committee chairman, said the congregation numbers about 220, up from 170 and that the Temple school, which is currently operating from East Greenwich, has doubled in the last year to 45 students.

As master of ceremonies Sholes called the groundbreaking a “momentous occasion” in terms of what it means for the congregation and the town of East Greenwich. The property includes a couple of existing houses on Middle Road that will remain with the temple being built to the back of the lot. It was bought in May of 2007. Gaining various permit approvals has been “a hassle” but Sholes is confident a building permit is immanent.

Praise for the project came from the town council, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches and the Rev. R. Craig Burlington, pastor of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Greenwich.

“It’s not only a great step for us and the congregation,” said Sholes, “but the right step for us.”

Temple Torat Yisrael opened on Park Avenue at the Cranston Jewish Center. It became know as Temple Beth Torah and changed its name to Temple Torat Yisrael after merging with Temple Beth Israel of Providence 25 years ago.

Temple Torat Yisreal is a conservative Jewish congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Temple President Susan Smoller called the groundbreaking “one of the most exciting days in history for the congregation.” She said the temple remains relevant, inclusive and believes in diversity, openness and respect.

Also bringing congratulations to the congregation were Doris Feinberg, president of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island; Rabbi Peter Stein of Temple Sinai and president of the Rhode Island board of Rabbis and Dr. Martin Newman, immediate past president of the New England Region United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Donning yellow hard hats, religious school students offered several musical presentations as parents angled for photographs and members of the congregation joined in song.

Moments later Smoller and past temple presidents lined up behind a mound of dirt. The hard work, raising the money, has begun.