The Times Herald Record reports:
In spite of warnings and health violations, a Hasidic girls’ camp continues to operate at the former Homowack Lodge.
Even though the state Department of Health asked residents to evacuate the sprawling resort off Route 209 on Monday for safety reasons, more than 200 girls again slept overnight in buildings on the property.
DOH staff and Town of Mamakating officials met with the operators Thursday and reiterated “the necessity to evacuate the property as soon as possible,” said DOH District Director Mark Knudsen, of the Monticello office.
The resort, now Machne Bnos Square, is owned by an Orthodox Jewish sect based in New Square in Rockland County.
“The operators are contacting parents of campers and expressed concern about sending children home if parents or guardians are not available,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen said the camp has been directed to hire a third party to conduct 24-hour fire watches and act as an on-site fire marshal. They must also hire plumbing and electrical contractors, a building consultant to remove mold, and a certified wastewater treatment system operator to maintain the on-site sewage disposal treatment plant.
The owners had no permit from DOH or the town, prompting an investigation. Inspectors found leaking roofs, faulty electrical equipment, mold, plumbing problems and violations with the water and sewer. DOH gave the owners until July 13 to correct the problems before seeking a voluntary evacuation of camp residents.
County and town emergency personnel have called the buildings a fire trap. The fire alarm system was not operating fully or sending a signal to the 911 Center, and the sprinkler system does not work.
The owner faces fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 for each violation. The DOH Division of Legal Affairs is preparing orders to force the operator to close, Knudsen said.
In August of 2007, YWN had reported HERE that thousands of Jews from all walks of life had gathered at the Homowack Lodge to celebrate what was called an “historic founding of a new heimishe shtetl in upstate New York”. Hundreds of Rabbonim, Admorim, Roshei Yeshivos and Dayonim were attendence as well.
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9 Responses
“Dinah dmalchusah dinah” let’s comply. Its not worth it
Although we here in America are definitely still in golus, I think it’s time we changed our golus mentality to understand that the government is not out to get us. This isn’t Poland between the 2 World Wars, this isn’t Russia at any time, the American governments have never been out to kill Jews or completely undermine our religion, nor to legislate rules that would make it hard for frum yidden to ern a living. Back in those days we had no choice but to do whatever we could to basically live, and that included not complying with laws. The rules and regulations in America are meant to protect all citizens, not meant to prevent Skver or any other frum institution from operating. Their mentality ahs always been that they are above the law and can do anything to accomplih their goals, albeit halachic goals. Witness the several Skverer chasidim who sat several years in jail for rampant fraud against the government, resulting in huge amounts of money stolen. We must wake up that we can receive fantastically large sums of money from the American government completely legal and without fear if we only follow the rules.
A pity that no plans of any new Shtetel are in sight! It seems that it failed. It was a good idea anyway
What if Chas V’Shalom something happens once it is known there are safety concerns. I know they may not want to refund camp tuition, but this is just not right; and children are invovled, too.
re the jailed chasidim…. your tongue should be watched because believe me there is a lot you don’t know & will NEVER know about what was really done & who served time etc. So watch what you say!
Is it possible that there is another side to the story? C’mon, even in the country that all you are saying has laws that we must abide by, there is the presumption of innocense until proven guilty by…. The county is known to have inspectors who are not friends of the Jews! Certainly Skver, a responsible organization, has the right to work on repairing whatever needs to be repaired, even by government standard and regulations! I logged in as the eighth comment and not one of those ahead of me can find a neutral comment, let alone a positive one! Both dina d’malchusa dina regulations AND OUR TORAH obligate “US” – you and me – to be non judgemental especially when “WE” don’t have all the facts and we haven’t even heard the other side! It’s the three weeks now, Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Av, and we can’t find within us the Ahavas Chinom to be at least open minded, lest objective, where another Yid, a Mosad, is involved!
Rabbosai, think about it!
Gut Shabbos to you all! Let’s meet in Yerushalayim Tibone Vesikonen Bimhayra!
#5 Good answer.
Jews are not the victim of every government’s ordinance.
The Skevere Rebbe Shlita is a Tzadik, and a genius. He cares more about the welfare of those kids than the FD, DOH, or the bloggers on this site. So I believe with out a doubt that the kids are not in any danger, but rather there are some other issues like not paying there monthly inspection charges, or the inspector and the camp supervisor rubbed shoulders the wrong way. In any case I hope that with the guidance of the Rebbe Shlita all matters will be ironed out ASAP.
ErnieKugel: I have no doubt the Skverer Rebbe cares more about the kids in the camp than the Fire Dept does. But bim’chilas k’vodo, does the Skverer Rebbe know more about fire and building safety than the authorities do? Would caring be enough to save a choking victim’s life if the Skverer Rebbe couldn’t perform the Heimlich Maneuver?