Orthodox congregation looks to build synagogue on Prospect Avenue

A local Orthodox congregation is looking to convert a single-family home on Prospect Avenue in East Meadow to a synagogue.

Religious leaders purchased the property over a year ago and the congregation, which is part of the Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island, has since been operating out of it. Their proposal — to continue its operations and create an on-site parking lot with ten spaces — went before the Town of Hempstead zoning board and community on July 18.

“Orthodox synagogues basically cannot survive if there are not enough local people within walking distance to participate in the services,” said an attorney representing the Jewish Heritage Center. There are at-most 15 men participating in a majority of the congregation’s services and, he added, with women and children included, the congregation reaches at-most 35 people.

Some residents voiced concerns that the project is not in the neighborhood’s character or that the congregation might grow if it becomes an established synagogue. According to the attorney, however, the synagogue cannot legally host more than 40 people and, therefore, will not be growing. “Every religious congregation says we’d like to grow, we don’t want to turn away new members,” he said. “But this site would not be legally feasible for a larger congregation.”

But other residents opposed to creation of a parking lot. Linda Demasi, of East Meadow, said that it would be directly beneath mother’s window and its construction would remove the greenery in her backyard. “If you’re happy with status quo — where you’re living now, how you’re using the facility — I don’t know why we need to be doing this,” she said.

Others argued that the creation of a synagogue would only “enrich the character” of the coomunity. “I understand the fear of having a change in the neighborhood,” said Scott Eckers, of East Meadow. He added that, as an Orthodox congregation, the congregation’s members would not always be driving to the location.

Cheryl Gordon, who lives half mile away from the location, also supported the creation of a synagogue. She said that parking in a lot behind house would take cars off the street, adding that she belives the project could only increase the property values of the surrounding homes.

The Board of Appeals is still mulling over its decision on the case.