Notice from Ezrath Israel of Ellenville:
Since 1907 Congregation Ezrath Israel (known as the Ellenville Shul) has served the Ellenville Jewish community. In the early 70’s, the Shul dedicated what was at the time the most beautiful Shul in the Catskills. However, time has taken its toll on the building. What was once state-of-the-art, is now in need of urgent updating.
On Friday, January 25th, 2019 the Shul building was closed. A temporary heater, that had been in use in a section of the building that did not have heat, set off the Carbon Monoxide alarm. After evacuating the building, the building department forbade use of the building until proper heat is installed and everything is compliant with current codes.
Since then, we have been working non-stop, in coordination with the local authorities, to bring the building up to code, and do all of the necessary renovations. Following the recommendations of the building department, we hired a licensed plumber and electrician to install heating.
However, the cost of these repairs is overwhelming. The Shul that was finally on a more secure financial footing, after years of effort, is in need of significant funding to cover these costs. Once these fixes are made, the building can be reopened and once again be used as a home for the Ellenville Jewish community, and the many seasonal visitors.
Chabad of Ulster County has committed to match all donations, dollar for dollar, to help us reach our goal. Please contribute to allow us to re-open our doors, and continue to serve the Ellenville Jewish Community.
Donate at thechesedfund.com
I hope you will reach the goal of getting the shul up and running and clean and productive very soon. Looking forward to popping in
If the building is put back in to use before sufficient funds are in place for routine preventive maintenance, then the entire effort is a dreadful waste.
Wishing you much hatzlocha in raising the funds necessary for this project. Ellenville has many memories for most of us Catskill summer vacationers over the years.
Finally they are doing something about the heat.