Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Synagogue plan finally comes before zoning board
The Chai Center for Living Judaism’s application is underway as of April 12. The Millburn Zoning Board of Adjustment heard the first of what will be many presentations regarding the plan to demolish two single family homes at 1 and 7 Jefferson Ave. in order to construct a 16,350 sq. ft. orthodox synagogue.
The application includes requests for a conditional use variance for inherently beneficial use, which normally requires three acres of property. The two lots, when combined, encompass 1.8 acres. There also are variance requests for building height, parking spaces and the size of the buffer.
After an hour and a half of legal wrangling to clarify the application’s notices and variances and a 20-minute recess the application’s first witness was sworn in.
In a question-and-answer format with Larry Kron, attorney for the Chai Center, Rabbi Mendel Bogomilsky who officiates the non-profit and wants the two homes to become one shul, began with a brief history of the Center. The rabbi said his group had been meeting in Millburn since 1982. In 1992, the services moved to 437 Millburn Ave.
"In 2005 with the help of the community, we purchased 1 Jefferson Ave." said Bogomilsky. "Before we held any title, people said we were destroying the community."
Kron then asked the rabbi about the center’s membership. Bogomilsky answered that there are "roughly" 50 to 100 families that attend the Chai Center. The Rabbi couldn’t give a more specific answer because it is an open door policy; some members pay, some don’t.
"Most of the people who pray here are walking distance, you see them at the school or the pool," said Bogomilsky. "They are deeply involved with the fabric of the community."
Supporters of the shul stuck to the left side of the room and quietly handed out buttons saying ‘Let my People Pray,’ as the rabbi spoke.
If the plan is approved, Bogomilsky said, a typical week would include one-hour morning and evening services each day of the week, a three-hour Saturday service with brunch to follow, and a two-hour service on Sundays with study groups at noon. Bogomilsky says there is no plan to create a school or host large-scale weddings and events.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/90765234_Synagogue_plan_finally_comes_before_zoning_board_.html
The application includes requests for a conditional use variance for inherently beneficial use, which normally requires three acres of property. The two lots, when combined, encompass 1.8 acres. There also are variance requests for building height, parking spaces and the size of the buffer.
After an hour and a half of legal wrangling to clarify the application’s notices and variances and a 20-minute recess the application’s first witness was sworn in.
In a question-and-answer format with Larry Kron, attorney for the Chai Center, Rabbi Mendel Bogomilsky who officiates the non-profit and wants the two homes to become one shul, began with a brief history of the Center. The rabbi said his group had been meeting in Millburn since 1982. In 1992, the services moved to 437 Millburn Ave.
"In 2005 with the help of the community, we purchased 1 Jefferson Ave." said Bogomilsky. "Before we held any title, people said we were destroying the community."
Kron then asked the rabbi about the center’s membership. Bogomilsky answered that there are "roughly" 50 to 100 families that attend the Chai Center. The Rabbi couldn’t give a more specific answer because it is an open door policy; some members pay, some don’t.
"Most of the people who pray here are walking distance, you see them at the school or the pool," said Bogomilsky. "They are deeply involved with the fabric of the community."
Supporters of the shul stuck to the left side of the room and quietly handed out buttons saying ‘Let my People Pray,’ as the rabbi spoke.
If the plan is approved, Bogomilsky said, a typical week would include one-hour morning and evening services each day of the week, a three-hour Saturday service with brunch to follow, and a two-hour service on Sundays with study groups at noon. Bogomilsky says there is no plan to create a school or host large-scale weddings and events.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/90765234_Synagogue_plan_finally_comes_before_zoning_board_.html
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