East Flatbush synagogue at risk of being replaced with affordable housing
The synagogue sits on the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center Campus, which is owned by One Brooklyn Health.
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Kingsbrook Synagogue in East Flatbush might be replaced with affordable housing.
The synagogue sits on the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center Campus, which is owned by One Brooklyn Health.
Rabbi Zalman Goldstein, a member of the congregation, says the history dates back to the 1920's and was built in response to antisemitism.
“This was made in response of discrimination against Jewish people. So, we're standing here now nearly 100 years later, and we ask ourselves, so what's the world come to," said Goldstein.
Goldstein says they stopped meeting there during the COVID pandemic, but haven't been allowed back in since.
Stuart A. Blander, an attorney representing the congregation, says One Brooklyn Health has had plans for a few years to build affordable housing on the campus, but now the synagogue is newly involved.
“Originally, we were told that there was going to be redevelopment, affordable housing, but the synagogue would remain. It is my understanding that the current position of One Brooklyn Health, as articulated as recently as yesterday morning in court by their lawyer, is that the existence of the synagogue building is incompatible with their redevelopment," said Blander.
Blander says the congregation isn't opposed to affordable housing, they just want a compromise.
“Door No. 1 is affordable housing and door No. 2 is preserving the synagogue. And in my personal opinion, that's a completely false choice because there are ways of accommodating both," said Blander.
In December, Gov. Kathy Hochul said “Kingsbrook Synagogue has been around since the early 1900s and is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Jewish community. I'm proud to have led the effort to save the historic Kingsbrook shul from its demolition and encourage leadership from the hospital and synagogue to find a path forward where both sites can prosper and serve the community.”
When we reached out to her office, we were referred back to this same statement. Just a few months later, and Rabbi Goldstein says the synagogue still seems to be at risk.
“My son Yossi, who is now 12, will be 13 in October. He's praying his biggest wish, his biggest wish that he wants is that he should be able to have his bar mitzvah back in the synagogue where he had his bris," said Goldstein.
News 12 reached out to One Brooklyn Health for an interview or statement, and they said they can't comment on active litigation.
