"A nearly century-old Jewish congregation in East Flatbush is in danger of losing its sanctuary to a wrecking ball as its landlords plan to tear it down and build affordable housing. One Brooklyn Health, the nonprofit that owns the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, wants to demolish a synagogue on its campus and redevelop the site with affordable housing and outpatient services, according to court records."
"The case highlights New York City's struggle to balance the preservation of cherished community spaces with the dire need for more affordable housing. It comes on the heels of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's election, which was largely centered on an affordable housing platform, and as rents in the city continue to spike. At a court hearing Wednesday morning, One Brooklyn Health attorney Jason Hsi said it wouldn't make sense to let the synagogue remain as a "zombie structure" in the midst of an affordable housing complex."
"Stuart Blander, a lawyer for the synagogue, said the congregation's deep connection to the space should also be considered. He said congregants have repeatedly been assured that they could keep praying at the synagogue, including in writing by state officials. But now, executives at One Brooklyn Health are instead prioritizing a lucrative real estate deal that will "maximize the dollars by getting rid of my client," he said."
A nearly century-old Orthodox congregation in East Flatbush has prayed at a synagogue on the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center campus since the late 1920s. One Brooklyn Health plans to demolish the synagogue to redevelop the site with affordable housing and outpatient services, prompting a lawsuit by the congregation. Hospital attorneys argue preservation would leave a "zombie structure" in a housing complex and emphasize public policy and housing needs. Congregation lawyers say congregants were assured they could continue praying and that promises were broken in favor of a lucrative real estate deal. A judge will soon decide whether the legal challenge can proceed.
Read at Gothamist
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