Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park explained

Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park
Image Upright:1.4
Religious Affiliation:Orthodox Judaism
Rite:Chabad Lubavitch
Festivals:-->
Organisational Status:Synagogue
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Demolished
Location:4024 12th Avenue, Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York City, New York 11219
Country:United States
Map Type:New York City
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:40.6411°N -73.9898°W
Architect:John C. Walsh
Architecture Type:Synagogue architecture
Architecture Style:Moorish Revival
General Contractor:Vito De Fino
Year Completed:1907
Date Destroyed:-->
Elevation Ft:-->
Footnotes:[1]

Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park was a historic Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue at 4024 12th Avenue in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, New York, United States.

Built for Congregation Beth El in 1907, it was the first built and oldest synagogue in Borough Park.[1] It was demolished in 2024.

History

The building was erected by Congregation Beth El of Borough Park in 1907. On June 11, 1906, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported the cornerstone laying "Borough President Bird S. Coler was the principal speaker at the ceremonies attending the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple Beth El which is being erected at Twelfth avenue and Forty-first street, yesterday afternoon."[2] Designed by John C. Walsh in the Moorish Revival style, the building is a modest “tenement synagogue” and is one of the two oldest surviving purpose-built synagogues in its borough in use.

Founded as Chevra Anshei Lubawitz Nusach Ha'ari of Borough Park in 1914,[3] in 1922 the synagogue building was sold to Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park.[4]

Demolition

The building and land were sold for $3.1 million in 2017 to a property developer who planned to demolish the building and build a six-story condominium building with a new synagogue on the first floor and basement. However, in August 2017 a judge temporarily blocked its demolition after members argued the sale of the building was based on misrepresentations.[5] In November 2017, a preliminary injunction was issued, that remained in effect until October 2019.[6] [7] The doors of the synagogue were locked in January 2018. In March 2019, several members of the congregation lodged an application to the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission for "city landmark status".[8] The building was demolished on March 17, 2024, even though workers did not have permits to raze the synagogue.[9] A stop-work order was issued after the demolition.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robins, Anthony W. . Chevra Anshei Lubawitz Synagogue (original Temple Beth El of Borough Park) . Crown Heights Info . March 3, 2019 . 8 March 2024 .
  2. Web site: Congregation Beth El starts a synagogue in Borough Park section . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: תולדות חב"ד No. 2 5748 - לוין, שלום דובער (page 138 of 406) . Hebrew Books . 2018-01-26.
  4. Web site: Yochi . Donn . Boro Park’s Oldest Shul Seeks Landmark Status to Avoid Demolition . 21 March 2019 . Hamodia Weekly .
  5. News: August 25, 2017 . Daily News . 26 March 2019 . Reuven . Blau . Judge blocks demolition of historic Brooklyn synagogue.
  6. News: Boro Park: The Latest on the Anshei Lubawiz Synagogue Condo Sale . The Yeshiva World . December 11, 2017 . 26 March 2019.
  7. Web site: WAYNE P. . SAITTA . WebCivil Supreme . 26 March 2019 . WebCivil Supreme.
  8. News: Prince, Cathryn J. . A battle grows in Brooklyn over Borough Park’s oldest surviving synagogue . . April 5, 2019 . March 8, 2024 .
  9. Web site: 2024-03-17 . Mystery surrounds demolition of historic Chevra Anshei Lubawitz synagogue in Brooklyn . 2024-03-20 . ABC7 New York . en.
  10. Web site: Borough Park Synagogue Demolished Without Permits . Brownstoner . March 25, 2024 . March 26, 2024.