The roof of Shaarei Shomayim, a shul located in the
Lower East Side on Rivington Street, collapsed due to winter
weather and the damage may be irreparable. The sifrei
Torah were not damaged because the beis knesses
only uses the ground floor, whereas the roof caved in over
the third floor.
In 1902 the congregation, believed to New York's oldest
Rumanian kehilloh, purchased the building, which was
originally built in 1857. The shul gained renown for
the exceptional chazonim who led the tefillos,
including R' Yosseleh Rosenblatt.
The "Romenishe Shul" began to fade over the years as Jews
left the Lower East Side for other parts of the city and poor
minorities and delinquents moved in. Still, Jewish-owned
stores remained and store owners would frequent the local
botei knesses.
Recent years have brought a return to the Lower East Side and
several botei knesses are being renovated. Rav Shmuel
Spiegel, whose father served as the rov of the shul,
has dedicated his life to keeping it running. He raises funds
to cover maintenance, heating and essential repairs and
organizes minyanim. Thanks to his efforts Shacharis
and Minchah are held on a daily basis, which is
rare in this area. The average tefilloh draws 40
mispallelim.
Tefillos are held in a ground-floor room converted
into a beis knesses since the main sanctuary on the
third floor has fallen into severe disrepair and the
magnificent old furnishings have been damaged by water
leaking through the roof and walls. Two years ago The
Villager published an article describing the crumbling
walls and floors and the broken seats and other furnishings.
At the time Rav Spiegel said he managed to raise $25,000 to
perform essential repairs, but noted proper renovation work
would cost $4 million.
Now it appears the roof is caving in, making repair
impossible. The beis knesses will probably have to
close and a new home will have to be found for the sifrei
Torah and sifrei kodesh—perhaps one of the
other shuls in the neighborhood currently being
refurbished.
