Former Firehouse to Become Orthodox Synagogue

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL — As Rabbi Dovid Vigler’s arm sweeps across the cavernous empty firehouse, it’s almost possible to see, as he does, how grand it will be.

There will be a sanctuary with a soaring high ceiling – he looks up – and a balcony overlooking a social hall for weddings and parties.

In about six months, this vacant firehouse will be the new home of the Gardens Shul, a Chabad congregation.

“Our dream is to make it exquisite, something people will be proud to come into,” said Vigler.

Located behind a gas station and abutting PGA Boulevard and Florida’s Turnpike, the building cost $1.2 million. Remodeling is expected to cost $500,000 to $700,000.

An Orthodox Jewish synagogue must be available by foot to its families, who are required to walk on Shabbat, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

There were not many pieces of land – let alone a building – available in fast-growing Palm Beach Gardens.

A real estate broker found the firehouse, near the PGA National, Ballen Isles and Mirasol neighborhoods.

Vigler loved the symbolism of a religious community in a firehouse.

“Everyting in this world is drawn downward,” he said. “The only exception is fire, which is drawn upwards. Fire is obviously connected to that which is higher.”

The two-year-old congregation has about 100 people meeting weekly at Timber Trace Elementary School. Double or triple that number convene at the PGA National Club for high holy days.

Vigler is part of the Chabad Lubavitch movement of Judaism, founded after World War II by Rabbi Menachem Schneerson in Brooklyn. The movement’s mission was to reach the many Jews who turned their backs on God after the Holocaust, Vigler says. The movement now claims 4,000 centers around the world.

The boyish-looking rabbi, 27, has been a religious leader half his life. Growing up in South Africa, before he could even drive, he acted as his rabbi father’s surrogate, hitching three-hour rides into the countryside, carrying kosher food and leading services for rural congregations.

Chana Vigler, 24, was directing children’s camps and educational projects.

The granddaughter of one of Schneerson’s close associates, she grew up in Europe and speaks seven languages.

Their daughter Moussia, the namesake of Rabbi Schneerson’s wife, has already been on four continents though she is still a toddler.

The Viglers are expecting a second child soon.

“We might be very young, but people don’t realize the kind of experiences we had before we came here,” said Chana Vigler.

When Vigler recently visited Palm Beach Gardens officials, vice mayor David Levy was involved in the annual “Walk Your Child to School” Day at Gardens Elementary School. Vigler pointed out that for his congregation, every week is “Walk Your Family to Shul (temple)” Day.

Levy toured the site when Vigler was considering buying it.

“It was neat, I saw a lot of potential there,” said Levy.

Palm Beach Gardens real estate broker Michael Falk made the match between the congregation and the firehouse and donated his fee to the congregation, though he is not a member, Vigler said.

Fallk has also made deals for an autism school and a charitable group’s thrift shop.

“Sometimes I think life is all about karma,” said Falk. “And in a market like this, you can use all the help you can get.”