Back to school? Court will decide fate

Great Neck TLC fights to keep their home

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On Wednesday, August 29, Nassau Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Goodstein issued a temporary restraining order to stay the eviction, scheduled to happen as early as 8/30, of Beit Shoshanim Torah Learning Center (TLC), from its premises at Congregation Shira Chadasha, 695 Middle Neck Road., in Great Neck.

Beit Shoshanim, a Torah learning center, provides an opportunity for Great Neck area public middle school and high school girls to get a well rounded Judaic Studies education. It was founded three years ago as an attempt to assist parents of girls who could not afford Yeshivah education. “We took curriculum from several yeshivahs and mimicked it and condensed it into a three hour program,” says Elisheva Hakimian, who is Director of the school that her father Farshid Liviem founded three years ago.

Both students and parents laud the school that on a daily basis starts at 2:30 p.m, offers a hot kosher lunch, and continues with lessons and activities till 5:30 p.m. Since its inception, TLC has educated 75 girls who attend following their days at Great Neck North Middle or High School. In addition to Chumash and Navi, students learn about the Chagim, Taharat Hamishpacha and participate in Chesed activities. Twelfth graders who have consistent attendance can even earn up to six college credits for their participation. Some of the Beit Shoshanim students stay throughout high school, others such as Leah Nouriyelian, 16 will transition into Yeshivah high school. “I’ve been able to cultivate my potential at TLC. I’ve learned the importance of taking care of myself and giving to others. I have developed strong relationships with my teachers who I can call, or text at any time. It’s more than just a school. We went on a Shabbaton in the Five Towns; it was an incredible bonding experience. I’ve learned that every aspect of Judaism applies to me. The school has given me confidence and enabled me to flourish. It even has helped my family grow closer to Judaism. The location is so convenient. TLC has been an escape. It’s someplace that I can go where I can fit in.”

Advocates of the school, such as Naz Aziz, a former instructor and cousin of a current student, speak of how TLC provides lessons beyond the classroom. “I’ve seen the school help teenage girls who would otherwise be wandering the streets. The school helps them connect with their Jewish identity, ensuring their future as Jewish wives and mothers. Students create a lasting relationship with their teachers who often provide counseling and advice.”

Rabbi Yaakov Barzideh, of Great Neck has been an instructor at Beit Shoshanim since its inception. His involvement in the school has personal significance. “I attended Great Neck North. I learned in Sh’or Yoshov. Teaching here has given me the opportunity to give kids what I didn’t get in high school.”

Valley National Bank commenced foreclosure in 2009, with the actual sale to the bank’s subsidiary May 2011 for $2.8 million. As part of the foreclosure proceeding, the bank didn’t name the school as a tenant. Attorneys representing the bank contend that the lease is questionable and believe that the school doesn’t belong there.

Jay Itkowitz and Daniel Spitalnic, attorneys for the girls’ school allege procedural errors. “Valley National Bank never named the girls’ school as a respondent in the foreclosure. Now they want to throw the girls’ school out without resorting to due process. They are not entitled to do that. On a deeper level, representatives of the school have reached out to the bank and their President to try to negotiate a reasonable agreement.”

There are two viable and reasonable options, noted Itkowitz.

“They can give the girls’ school an opportunity to buy the facility at fair market value, which is substantially less than the original loan ($3.5 million, 2 million purchase, 1.5 construction) that the bank foreclosed on. Another option, is for the bank to continue to rent to the school until they find a buyer who will take occupancy.”

Attorneys for the school contend that the bank is treating the school as if they were the original mortgagor, which would elicit a higher price. The bank is seeking $4 million to close the deal.

The building also houses a mikveh which continues to be in use by the community, while the girls’ school is in operation.

The Law Firm of Itkowitz and Horowitz sent a proposal to the bank’s attorney, and they received a one word response, “Rejected.” According to Jay Itkowitz, “There was no indication that the bank was open to having any reasonable discussions that would accommodate the needs of the school, students or community while protecting the interests of the bank. Valley National Bank should act like a community bank which is supported by many people in the community. It makes no sense for the bank to throw out the school and their girls when the bank has no alternative use in place, no buyer, no tenant. If they throw the school out no one will be in the building and they’ll have to pay someone to protect the building. Let’s hope that Valley National Bank agrees to sit down to negotiate a solution which will allow the girls to continue their studies there as back to school is next week. Let’s hope in the spirit of the new year, that Bank President Jerry Lipkin finds his way to the negotiating table resulting in a solution and a kiddush Hashem.”

Both sides go back to Nassau Supreme Court on Wednesday, September 5th when Judge Marber will hear the arguments from both sides as to whether the school will continue at its present location. Founder Farhid Liviem is hopeful that the community rallies around the school to offer their support.