A residential yeshiva lost its quest for approval of a dormitory at the Zoning Board of Appeals last night. K’Hal Adath Yeshurun of NYC bought the former Midchester Jewish Center at 236 Grandview Blvd. earlier this year and it proposed to open a religious high school.
They sought variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals because city codes do not permit dormitories in high schools and because no school building can be closer than 25 feet from a residential property line.
The board did grant the school a variance for being too close to residential property lines. But it rejected the school’s argument that it is a type of seminary that should be allowed a dormitory like a seminary has.
Harry Junger, a representative of the school, said last night that the school must now consider selling the property or going to court to fight the board’s decision.
The yeshiva plan provoked strong opinions from neighbors. About 130 residents signed a petition against the plan and about 180 signed one in favor. Proponents expressed their support for a revival of Jewish learning in a neighborhood that once had a vibrant Jewish community.
(Source: The Journal News)
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2 Responses
Why aren’t there any comments? Would it be better to not have this Yeshiva, which is a continuation of a Yeshiva that was one of the oldest Yeshivos in pre-Holocaust Europe, so that history could be further rewritten by the spin-doctors?
After reading the printed biographies of Rav S. R. Hirsch Z”tl & Rav Breuer Z”tl, & hearing conflicting versions on many items from witnesses & the children of witnesses to these events, I wonder?
I realize it’s just two days after Yom Kippur, but the lack of response is appalling.
Observant Jew: I believe that this dorm was only meant to be temporary since there are major renovations planned for the Washington Heights Mesivta building which will take a few years. In the meantime, they were planning to relocate to Yonkers and open a dorm.
BTW, although certainly a very fine institution, it may well be a continuation of the Hirsch Realschule in name only.