Today, the Five Towns will celebrate the dedication of the Anne and Jerome Gober Torah Center, the new home of Agudath Israel of the Five Towns Mikdash Tzvi Yechiel, located at the corner of Cedarhurst Avenue and Peninsula Blvd. in Cedarhurst. The new state-of-the-art facility includes a stunning two-story bais haknesses with a balcony, youth rooms and a simcha hall.
Formed twelve years ago under the leadership of Rav Yitzchok D. Frankel, the kehillah‘s mara d’asra, the shul is marking the occasion with a special day of dedication and celebration.
“This momentous occasion is the culmination of many years of tireless efforts of our kehillah,” said Rav Frankel.
The celebration will begin today with a hachnosas Sefer Torah dedicated by Rabbi Dr. Zev and Terry Goldberg l’illui nishmas Rifka bas Yitzchok. The program will commence at 12 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Goldsmith.
After completing the Sefer Torah at 1:30 p.m., there will be a festive procession to the new building of Agudath Israel of the Five Towns. The new Sefer Torah will be greeted by the other Sifrei Torah of the shul and escorted into the new shul building with singing and dancing. The chanukas habayis of The Anne and Jerome Torah Center will begin at 2 p.m. and will include divrei Torah and greetings from rabbonim and roshei yeshivos and the affixing of a mezuzah on the new building. The program will be followed by a reception in the new simcha hall.
The Agudah’s leadership is most proud of the project’s final result. There were many obstacles to overcome, including legal variances, financing and actual construction.
“We were blessed along the way to find true partners who helped overcome real problems,” said Shalom Parnes, the shul‘s president. The membership is particularly grateful to Councilman James Darcy and Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise, each of whom offered vital help and guidance as the project unfolded.
“We had great cooperation from the Town of Hempstead and Village of Cedarhurst all the way through the process,” said Shalom.
Key to the construction was the incredible dedication of Michoel Bleiberg, a member of the shul who is also a professional construction manager. “His dedication to this building is unbelievable,” said Rav Frankel. “He never stopped working and didn’t let a single detail go by.”
Mark Korman, Vice President of Special Assets at Bank of America, which financed the project, was also very responsive to the shul‘s needs. “It took us a long time to find the right bank to work with”, said Hal Frechter, a member of the building committee, “but once we did, they were very helpful.”
Special thanks are also being given to the contractor, JCJ General Contracting, Jason Teramo, Chris Strauss and architect Amiel Savaldi.
Catering in the new simcha hall is being offered exclusively by Supersol. According to Shalom Parnes, the kehillah and Supersol have worked out a mutually beneficial agreement to help subsidize the shul‘s expenses. “Laurie Garber of Supersol and the entire Supersol family are invested in our community,” said Shalom. “While there were other caterers who expressed interest, the Supersol reputation convinced the membership that this was the way to go.”
The Agudah’s annual dinner, honoring the Gober family, will be held on Thursday evening, 29 Iyar/May 13th.
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