anonymous

Im waiting for the Editor or a Mod to respond.

I either read a thread about using 2 Usernames or emailed and asked if I could use more than one for privacy reasons, and the answer was YES, as long as Im not pretending to be someone Im not, or starting conversations with myself- using 2 Usernames in one thread (which I havent done).

Something is wrong somewhere.

It seems that there are more Temple Beth El of BP members in the Coffee Room, than Aish Kodesh of Woodmere members. Not one Aish Kodesh of Woodmere member has offered info here about an event taking place this weekend.

soliek, please forgive me, Im totally off the topic of making changes to the Shul (present and future).

Im sure there are loads of very interesting stories to share, dating back to the 1920’s, concerning the wealthy founders, etc. Please offer.

You havent responded to my questions concerning the past, which are harmless:

please, would it be possiblefor you (or others) to share some of the history of the shul?

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/temple-beth-el-of-borough-park-what-do-we-know-about-its-history

Bezalel,

Not when it’s coming from you. If this had been your first post on the topic, it would be OK.

So sorry. How many lashes do I deserve? After the lashes, can members, who I assume know something of the history of the Shul, respond, with your permission?

soliek, please, would it be possiblefor you (or others) to share some of the history of the shul?

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/temple-beth-el-of-borough-park-what-do-we-know-about-its-history

TG, I meant my recent posts to be three disctinct topics, only two touch on BE though

1. Increasing membership in BE while filling a void in BP (I angered some unfortunately).

2. Feeling out if there’s interest in a different kind of Shul in BP, other than BE

2. Questions about the history of BE (hopefully this is harmless and wont annoy anyone!)

bpt,

In which way would Hashem’s glory be better served; having a magnificent bldg stand like a monument to what once was or the sounds of children learning be heard?

Sheesh! Thats a question thats not a question! Definitely the sounds of children learning!!!!

BUT, children learning dont need that kind of artistry. That would necessitate destruction of the Shul. Whereas turning the Shul into a popular, beloved and growing place of worship, where people of all backgrounds would be inspired to bring forth children who are learning, a little less cookie-cutterish than what BP offers now, would be a far better purpose for this gem in our midst, which is also a remembrance of the post-Holocaust population in New York and their love for beautiful Shuls, (who were not Chassidish, but heros nevertheless, and I dont envy anyone who judges them) rather than gutting it to make classrooms out of the museum building.

Sorry soliek, do I have your permission to be passionate about a stunning Shul that if it were destroyed, would be an affront and a black mark on/to all Jews/Jewish history?

Sorry soliek, whats the question?

600,

and when I came back 5 years ago I found that the old BP I remembered had become more and more like Williamsburgh.

Do you really think that all of these “Williamsburgh” types belong in and feel comfortable in the real Chassidishe minyamin? I think they’d relish a leibedik minyan with old world varemkeit and ehrlichkeit but not as 100% homogenous and stringent.

If I had some partners interested in putting time, work, thought, blood, sweat and tears into it (with some seed money and the power of persuasion), I’d g l a d l y be involved. We’d save souls.

bpt, Its just a matter of time before the BE building gets taken over by one of the chassidim.

And the most stunning Shul in the world attacked by angry bulldozers for need of more space.

Shomrei Emunah’s Rov, Rabbi Pollak moved to Lakewood, and a well known Talmid Chacham/Balebos took over as Rov. Not sure about the membership growth. Unless there’s newsorthy/major change/excitement, new members dont pop out of the woodwoork.

Not sure what the answer is, but many twentysomethings/thirtysomethings/ fortysomethings/fiftysomethings in BP, who arent the typical straightlaced Chassidish types, and yet are still happily religious, need somewhere a little different than all the Chassidish minyanim present in BP, to fill the void.

soliek,

and whose problem is that?

Almost everyone in the USA.

do you daven at the shul often?

I try, but the population was a better fit for my octogenarian and nonagenarian relatives, a”h. I went there as a small child when the Kousevitzkys were Chazzanim in BP, and there was electricity in the air and there wasnt a spare seat in the shul.

soliek, may everyone there and the rest of Klal Yisroel live gezunterheit til 120, but what do you predict the membership will look and feel like in ten to fifteen years, if ch”v Moshiach hasnt arrived by then? This Shul is a stunning piece of history and if it doesnt go up in popularity and membership, it will unfortunately go the other direction and go the way of Emanuel, with bulldozers, even if it isnt conservative like Emanuel. I dont claim to be G-d or a prophet, but thats the way I see it. That would be a crime.

soliek, but i can tell you right now that there is now way that they will ever look to change the shul’s demographi

Please define/clarify the above statement.

If some slightly less religious or slightly more religious, or people who are in other ways different, were interested in joining the Shul, or Shidduchim were made as a result of increased membership, that would upset you and most of the other members?

Generally, unless a Shul is busting at its seams, which BE is not, new members are welcome, unless such new members lessen the sanctity of the Shul and spoil the mood.

the website needs someone to run it. if you feel like doing it…feel free. i might if no one else wants to.

Kol Hakavod! You sound like a person with emotion and drive.

soliek, doesnt it bother you at all that a Shul that can seat and inspire thousands religiously, has a tiny fraction of that each Shabbos and Yom Tov?

Can you offer even one improvement/change you’d like?

Mexipal, you said it!

the rav of YIBP has been mekarev many people over the years and tries very hard to get new members including non-frum

~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the way, we were paying members until an elderly relative who loved the Shul passed on.

soliek, Emanuel was conservative but suffered from a dwindling membership, just as Beth El does. I dont think anyone thinks Beth El has much of a future, unless changes are made. A large percentage of the small numbers of Shul-goers are over 65 and their caretakers, they should live til 120.

Id happily like to see Beth El attract more BP people and outsiders for warmth and whatever it is they are looking for (different reasons for different people), just as the many different types flock to Aish Kodesh, Hineni, Rabbi Fund, Carlebach Minyan, etc. The Rabbi wouldnt have to be Chassidish, as long as he attracts, inspires and is warm towards all types.

Does anyone else have any ideas, with the curent Rabbi remaining?

Would it be palatable to hire a vibrant assistant?

Dr Seuss, How many non-frum Jews live in BP, anyways?

Hee hee, First of all BP has lots of Jews, many not shul-goers altogether.

More importantly, BP has lots and lots of frum Jews, walking the walk, talking the talk (with a sprinkling of some disenchanted and disinterested, on their way out to what seems to them like greener pastures- we’ve all read about them- texting, etc) and yearning for a Shul as described.

There can only be gain.

No opinions?

Woudnt BP’s population benefit from an Aish Kodesh type Shul? I cant think of a single Shul, among the many existing ones, that even comes close.