Saving shuls in Sderot

Issue of Sept. 5, 2008

The One Israel Fund, in conjunction with three local institutions, placed three bomb shelters at shuls in Sderot on Aug. 31, in an effort to allow residents of the kassam-ridden town to continue davening and learning at each location.

The first shelter, sponsored by Congregation Beth Sholom of Lawrence, was placed by the Ari shul, the former site of a Kollel that had been forced to move because of dangers caused by frequent rocket attacks.

“The gentlemen sitting there pointed out the shrapnel in the walls, where previous hits left the members no choice but to seek out safer quarters,” said Marc Prowisor, director of Security Operations for One Israel Fund. “I was told how they were waiting for this shelter and that the results would be not only of people davening there again, but the renewal of the Kollel.”

A second shelter, sponsored by the Young Israel of Woodmere, was placed at Yeshiva Sderot, between the shul and the dorms, providing the 50 students living there with safe access to both locations.

The third shelter, sponsored by the Iranian American Jewish Federation, based in Great Neck, was put at the Midrashia shul, another location for davening and learning that residents had abandoned, fearing for their safety.