Monday, August 24, 2009
Ramapo yeshiva plans to move after violations cited
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish congregation that ran an illegal children's school and violated numerous health and safety codes is leaving a residential neighborhood on Route 306, officials said.
Neighbors were pleased that Bobover Yeshiva, which also was the site of a backyard cow slaughtering, planned to leave the area.
The Hasidic Jewish congregation plans to lease classrooms for its students at Yeshiva Degel Hatorah on Maple Avenue in Spring Valley starting on Sept. 1.
"Of course I am happy," neighbor Carol Friedman said. "We're not happy that they managed to stay open for 10 weeks after they should have been shut down. They turned their backs on the health and welfare of the children."
The congregation's decision to move came as Ramapo inspectors issued Bobover Yeshiva additional health and safety violations. Ramapo and Rockland's Department of Health officials inspected the building on Aug. 13.
Ramapo Fire Inspector Thomas Buckley issued the yeshiva citations on Aug. 14 for illegal construction - converting the two-car detached garage into a classroom for students, including a child in a wheelchair, without a fire-prevention system or proper exits.
The inspectors also found electrical wiring problems in the kitchen, blocked emergency exits and mouse droppings in the kitchen.
The inspections came after the Hillcrest Fire Department responded to a fire alarm and found violations. Hillcrest Fire Chief Kim Weppler was concerned that when the alarms went off, the students didn't evacuate the building.
"Class was still going, business as usual," he said.
Weppler said the alarm system was activated by heat coming from the kitchen. Firefighters walked through the yeshiva and discovered "unsatisfactory" conditions in the kitchen and bathrooms, he said.
"We found spoiled food on shelves, electrical outlet connections that were lying in water in the middle of the kitchen, basically unsanitary conditions all the way around," Weppler said.
http://www.lohud.com/article/20090823/NEWS03/908230361/-1/SPORTS
Neighbors were pleased that Bobover Yeshiva, which also was the site of a backyard cow slaughtering, planned to leave the area.
The Hasidic Jewish congregation plans to lease classrooms for its students at Yeshiva Degel Hatorah on Maple Avenue in Spring Valley starting on Sept. 1.
"Of course I am happy," neighbor Carol Friedman said. "We're not happy that they managed to stay open for 10 weeks after they should have been shut down. They turned their backs on the health and welfare of the children."
The congregation's decision to move came as Ramapo inspectors issued Bobover Yeshiva additional health and safety violations. Ramapo and Rockland's Department of Health officials inspected the building on Aug. 13.
Ramapo Fire Inspector Thomas Buckley issued the yeshiva citations on Aug. 14 for illegal construction - converting the two-car detached garage into a classroom for students, including a child in a wheelchair, without a fire-prevention system or proper exits.
The inspectors also found electrical wiring problems in the kitchen, blocked emergency exits and mouse droppings in the kitchen.
The inspections came after the Hillcrest Fire Department responded to a fire alarm and found violations. Hillcrest Fire Chief Kim Weppler was concerned that when the alarms went off, the students didn't evacuate the building.
"Class was still going, business as usual," he said.
Weppler said the alarm system was activated by heat coming from the kitchen. Firefighters walked through the yeshiva and discovered "unsatisfactory" conditions in the kitchen and bathrooms, he said.
"We found spoiled food on shelves, electrical outlet connections that were lying in water in the middle of the kitchen, basically unsanitary conditions all the way around," Weppler said.
http://www.lohud.com/article/20090823/NEWS03/908230361/-1/SPORTS
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