HPCT-CAE celebrates groundbreaking

By Jason Cohen
May 9, 2008
 

"Since it occurred, the temple hasn't skipped a beat in what the community needs, and more importantly it has maintained an active program," Malomet said.

Malomet explained how this was a major set back for the town and the community, but they were able to bounce back.

"This could have been a lot worse," he said. "We were lucky, while at the same time it was traumatic and very hard on us."

Malomet explained how the fact that it was only an electrical fire made the community and the congregants feel a little more at ease.

"Once the report came out that it was an electrical fire we were relieved because it could have been arson or a hate crime," he said. "I mean, Jews have been through worse things, but this was bad."

After the fire, the Raritan Valley "Y" in East Brunswick and Highland Park High School assisted the temple in many ways. The "Y" allocated space for them in their gym for weekly services and other programs and the high school was used for concerts and High Holiday services.

Malomet said this groundbreaking marks an exciting transition period for the temple, but after it first happened he needed Rosh Hashanah to fully explain the situation to his people.

"After it first happened I spoke on Rosh Hashanah about loss, that people need to understand loss, just like when you lose a person you need to grieve, but now it was the end of that grieving," Malomet said.

Malomet said how one of the first things that had to be done after the fire was to see what was lost and what could be claimed on insurance.

"The big challenge was doing assessment and insurance, but we had a great important team of volunteers that found out what was lost in the fire for our insurance claims," he said.

They weren't the only people that assisted the temple in its time of need. Highland Park Mayor Meryl Frank has worked close with the temple in its rebuilding efforts from the moment that it happened, and Governor John Corzine has been there to support the temple as well. But, overall, the entire community was there for the synagogue.

"People were extremely generous, came out in the time of need, but most importantly the town was great," Malomet said.

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) spoke about one of his many trips to Israel and how his experiences there related to the groundbreaking.

"I was in Israel with five senators and Prime Minister [Ariel] Sharon at a meeting when he found out that there had been a suicide bombing," Lautenberg told The Jewish State. "We all told him we should stop the meeting, so he could be there for his people, but he said no, the meeting must continue. Just as Sharon continued in what he was doing, so did Anshe Emeth. They continued and rebuilt their temple. I feel very good about the groundbreaking because the Jewish community needs to be on guard and rebuilding is a part of Jewish life."

After submitting the insurance claims and a large amount of fundraising by the community the temple came up with $4.5 million used to rebuild the temple. An architect was hired to design extensions, reconfigure, and redevelop the building. Also, the new design of the building had to be up to fire access needs, and safety and environmental standards. The outside of the temple will be redone; there will be a new entrance, a new sanctuary, a library, a bet midrash, and an administration office.

"Overall, I feel that the temple not only is being totally refurbished, but it is a whole new beginning," Malomet said. "In addition, I feel that our community can be proud of our newly developed temple and it will play a significant role in life in the community in the next generation."

As the congregation breaks ground and eventually in about a year and a half finishes their newly designed temple, Malomet feels gratitude, humility, and hope after everything that has occurred since August of 2006.

Charlie Mandel, who was at the original ground breaking 60 years ago, commented on the ground breaking.

"Where the temple stands now, there used to be two houses and the temple tore them down," Mandel recollected. "I was on the original board, which consisted of 15 people. I have been a member since 1954 and now I am an honorary board member. But this is a day of remembrance. It will never be forgotten, it's deja vu."

Congregant Brenda Tanzman was excited about the ground breaking.

"This is a wonderful day; we look forward to building our future together with the community. We've been members for a long time," Tanzman said.

Andrew Cunningham, who is a new member to the temple, talked bout the groundbreaking.

"I think it's a wonderful start to a monumental effort," Cunningham. "My family is relatively new to the temple and we look forward to many memories here."  

Malomet sees a silver lining through this traumatic event.

"Not only did we gain members by merging with [Anshe Emeth of] South River, but we came together as a community in a time of need," he said. "Also, I feel that we are lucky that since we are located in the center of town therefore we are the premiere spot in Highland Park for community events."

"However, I feel now that it is time to dream and look forward, which, when it's all said and done, will culminate in our newly refurbished building," he added.