Submitted (not verified for accuracy)
One of the oldest minyanim in Lakewood finds itself with no home. The minyan has been bounced around from place to place over the years, a shul in exile. Known as "Avreichim" its from the old heimish minyanim in the heart of Lakewood. For years it was housed in the Lakewood cheder building primarily as a shabbos minyan. Many of the Rabbonim across Lakewood today were former mispalelim in this mikdash me'at. The shul had purchased a property on the corner of 10th street and Clifton Avenue, due to a lack of funds or other reasons the minyan did not build a new home. When the Cheder building was demolished the minyan was practically homeless moving around various buildings in the neighborhood, currently the minyan is housed in one of the yeshiva buildings. An opportunity arose and a few selfless mispalelim took upon themselves to finally build a brand new building on the lot they've owned for many years. Zoning and variance approvals were granted, plans were drawn up, money was raised and construction began. The foundation was dug and concrete was to be poured early in the morning. At midnight the night before a local Bais Din issued an IKUL on the construction after a neighbor complained. The Bais Din apparently did not speak to any of the Avreichim members prior to issuing the IKUL and an ad hoc din Torah took place at 2 am a mere 4 hours before the pouring of the foundation. Not being able to stop the cement trucks the decision was made to let them pour but construction must stop until further action is taken by the self imposed Bais din. A well connected askan got involved and threatened to have the zoning variances for the shul revoked through his connections and deep pockets.
That threat is laughable since there is no way to revoke a variance once it has been granted but shows the bully tactics used by these askanim who are drunk with power. It shows how you can use a Bais Din at your disposal, or politicians who are beholden to you, to bully people and get what you want. The halt in construction has caused a great financial loss to the shul. The shul was already there before and the plans were approved. To this day the foundation sits empty and once again a powerful and well connected askan prevents a shul from being built. A stab in the heart of Lakewood literally and figuratively.
One of the oldest minyanim in Lakewood finds itself with no home. The minyan has been bounced around from place to place over the years, a shul in exile. Known as "Avreichim" its from the old heimish minyanim in the heart of Lakewood. For years it was housed in the Lakewood cheder building primarily as a shabbos minyan. Many of the Rabbonim across Lakewood today were former mispalelim in this mikdash me'at. The shul had purchased a property on the corner of 10th street and Clifton Avenue, due to a lack of funds or other reasons the minyan did not build a new home. When the Cheder building was demolished the minyan was practically homeless moving around various buildings in the neighborhood, currently the minyan is housed in one of the yeshiva buildings. An opportunity arose and a few selfless mispalelim took upon themselves to finally build a brand new building on the lot they've owned for many years. Zoning and variance approvals were granted, plans were drawn up, money was raised and construction began. The foundation was dug and concrete was to be poured early in the morning. At midnight the night before a local Bais Din issued an IKUL on the construction after a neighbor complained. The Bais Din apparently did not speak to any of the Avreichim members prior to issuing the IKUL and an ad hoc din Torah took place at 2 am a mere 4 hours before the pouring of the foundation. Not being able to stop the cement trucks the decision was made to let them pour but construction must stop until further action is taken by the self imposed Bais din. A well connected askan got involved and threatened to have the zoning variances for the shul revoked through his connections and deep pockets.
That threat is laughable since there is no way to revoke a variance once it has been granted but shows the bully tactics used by these askanim who are drunk with power. It shows how you can use a Bais Din at your disposal, or politicians who are beholden to you, to bully people and get what you want. The halt in construction has caused a great financial loss to the shul. The shul was already there before and the plans were approved. To this day the foundation sits empty and once again a powerful and well connected askan prevents a shul from being built. A stab in the heart of Lakewood literally and figuratively.
