Homeless Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe faces growing pains

By Cheryl Orson
Nov. 9, 2007 

Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe of Eatontown is experiencing growing pains.

In trying to build a new synagogue, the congregation almost ironically found itself homeless. Having held services in a trailer for the past three years during ongoing construction, early last month the township decided to revoke its permit to continue doing so claiming the congregation did not have the financial wherewithal to move forward with this project.

However, after making an emergency appearance before Eatontown's Board of Planning and Zoning on Nov. 5, it was decided to give the congregation a reprieve until Dec. 3. Congregant David Sakkal said by that time the congregation will have closed on at least one of two loans that they're pursuing to allow them to move forward with construction

Sakkal said the first loan would be for $500,000 for interior work. The second and more important loan would be for $1 million for the construction itself and is set to close on Nov. 15. He said the congregation has eight to 10 backers guaranteeing this "bridge loan."

The problem with this though, Sakkal explained, is that the township wants to see progress on what is now a steel frame sometime between the loan's closing on Nov. 15 and the board meeting on Dec. 3, which he admits is "a little tight" as far as timing goes. Provided the closing goes as planned, Sakkal said the congregation should be able to give $150,000 to its current contractors to continue working on their new home which they plan to have finished in the next nine months.

Sakkal also said the construction was delayed as the congregation changed rabbis and committee during the past year and it was difficult to secure loans during this transition period. However, looking forward, he said everything should run smoothly.

"Once construction proceeds it shouldn't stop," said Sakkal. "Believe me, we don't want to be in a trailer."

Established in December of 1992, services were initially held in private homes. By its third year Shaare Tefilah was able to purchase a home with their rabbi living upstairs and the congregation practicing downstairs.

In 2001 Shaare Tefilah purchased a house next door to the one it was previously using and started planning for its new synagogue. Its members decided they would bring a trailer on site to worship in during construction.

According to Eatontownship Zoning Officer Peggy Ciok, Shaare Tefilah first applied for a permit to bring a trailer on site in 2003. In order for the permit to be granted, Ciok said, the congregation needed two building permits, one to raze the house on the site where the congregation originally met, and one to construct a new building on that site. The congregation's request was approved on Dec. 1, 2003, subject to its getting permits these two permits.

On Tuesday after Labor Day of 2004, the congregation, having secured the two necessary permits, placed a trailer on site with its own valid permit good for two years. In the spring of 2006, which was already a year and half later into the permit being granted for the trailer, the original house was razed and construction on the new synagogue officially began.

By October of 2006, shortly after the two-year expiration date, Ciok said the congregation went back before the zoning board requesting a one-year extension and "representing they had moved forward with construction and they would be done within a year." The one-year extension was granted with the stipulation the trailer would be removed within 10 days of the new temple being granted a certificate of occupancy or, by the latest, Oct. 1, 2007 -- whichever came first.

Between October of 2006 and October of 2007, the congregation was able to construct a skeletal shell. But then by March of 2007, all work suddenly ceased.

"They've done virtually nothing since March," said Ciok stating no inspections have been conducted since that time.

On Oct. 1, 2007 the congregation was once again back before the board applying for a second extension. Ciok said Shaare Tefilah members basically gave the same testimony as they had the year before, stating they were moving forward but had experienced construction problems and delays.

When asked if they actually had the necessary funding to continue forward, Ciok said the answer was a blunt "no." At this time the congregation's trailer permit was revoked. However, due the urgency and nature of this situation, the board did make an exception and schedule time for the congregation to again reappear before it on Nov. 5 with any additional information, especially financial, which might convince board members to reinstate the trailer permit.

"The board is not trying to be mean, but they have to know that they have the wherewithal," said Ciok. "It's not that we don't want them," she stated adding she personally thinks some of the detail touches are "pretty."

Starting with 10 families, today the synagogue serves as a spiritual home to more than 100 families plus observant travelers who walk to services from nearby hotels. They hope to be in their new building no later than the high holidays of 2008.

For more information on Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe or to donate toward the construction of the synagogue, please visit the congregation's website at www.eatontownshul.com.