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.
| Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue entrance, in 2017 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Chabad Lubavitch |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Demolished |
| Location | |
| Location | 4024 12th Avenue, Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York City, New York 11219 |
| Country | United States |
  Location in New York City | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°38′28″N 73°59′23″W / 40.641104°N 73.989802°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John C. Walsh |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Moorish Revival |
| General contractor | Vito De Fino |
| Date established |
|
| Completed | 1907 (for Congregation Beth El) |
| [1] | |
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
editThe building was erected by Congregation Beth El of Borough Park in 1907.[2] 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[a] in 1914,[3] in 1922 the synagogue building was sold to Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park.[4]
Demolition
editThe 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][10] A stop-work order was issued after the demolition.[10]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Robins, Anthony W. (March 3, 2019). "Chevra Anshei Lubawitz Synagogue (original Temple Beth El of Borough Park)" (PDF). Crown Heights Info. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Congregation Beth El starts a synagogue in Borough Park section". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "תולדות חב"ד No. 2 5748 - לוין, שלום דובער (page 138 of 406)". Hebrew Books. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Donn, Yochi. "Boro Park's Oldest Shul Seeks Landmark Status to Avoid Demolition". Hamodia Weekly. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ Blau, Reuven (August 25, 2017). "Judge blocks demolition of historic Brooklyn synagogue". Daily News. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "Boro Park: The Latest on the Anshei Lubawiz Synagogue Condo Sale". The Yeshiva World. December 11, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ SAITTA, WAYNE P. "WebCivil Supreme". WebCivil Supreme. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ Prince, Cathryn J. (April 5, 2019). "A battle grows in Brooklyn over Borough Park's oldest surviving synagogue". The Times of Israel. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Mystery surrounds demolition of historic Chevra Anshei Lubawitz synagogue in Brooklyn". ABC7 New York. March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Borough Park Synagogue Demolished Without Permits". Brownstoner. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.