Chabad to Rescue Shul from Becoming a Church

The building that is currently home to Congregation Adas Israel, which holds weekly Shabbat services, may be sold to the Chabad-Lubavitch of the South Coast, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

“It’s crucial for us to buy it – for the future of Orthodoxy,” said Rabbi Aaron Benjaminson with South Coast Chabad, in a phone call with the paper. “It’s the last standing Orthodox shul in [this area] of southeastern Massachusetts.”

The capital campaign to buy the Robeson Street building, said Rabbi Benjaminson, began earlier this month; and the campaign must raise at least 50 percent of the $400,000 asking price.

According to the rabbi, there is no bidding war going on, but he expressed concern that a church, rather than South Coast Chabad, might buy the building. Calling the purchase a “golden opportunity” to establish a Chabad Center for Jewish Life, Rabbi Benjaminson said that the asking price is a bargain. “It was on the market [several years ago] for $750,000.”

Acknowledging that support from Chabad rabbis in Rhode Island has been helpful, he said that naming opportunities for those who donate large sums of money are also possible.

Jeffrey Weissman, president of Congregation Adas Israel, declined to speak to The Voice & Herald, citing ongoing negotiations with South Coast Chabad.

Cliff Lander, synagogue vice president, explained the reason for the sale.

“The congregation is very old. I’m 70 and I’m the second youngest member of the congregation; the congregation is mostly widows – I’m one of the last men standing,” said Lander in a phone call with The Voice & Herald. “Our funds will run out in about two-and-a-half to three years and we are primarily concerned with our two cemeteries.”

When a church group had expressed interest in purchasing the building, the synagogue board of directors decided to sell the building, rather than give it to South Coast Chabad, as Lander had suggested.

When the sale is finalized, the synagogue members plan to lease space from South Coast Chabad to continue the congregation.

A purchase and sale agreement has been prepared; as of press time, Lander was uncertain whether the parties have executed it.

If you would like to donate to help Chabad complete the purchase of the building, please click here.