Faith

Rabbi Holds Prayers in Street After Manhattan Synagogue Burned to Ground

Rabbi Holds Prayers in Street After Manhattan Synagogue Burned to GroundNEW YORK (AP) — Members of a Manhattan synagogue that burst into flames and was badly damaged are holding a prayer service in the street in front of the 110-year-old building.

Rabbi Haskel Lookstein will join Cantor Mayer Davis for the Tuesday afternoon ritual on East 85th Street, reciting psalms for times of tragedy.

The fire at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (keh-hee-LAHT’ yeh-shoo-ROON’) started at about 8:30 p.m. Monday, rising high into the sky above the Upper East Side.

It took about 170 firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Five of them suffered minor injuries.

The cause is under investigation. Officials say the blaze appears to have started on the top floor and roof.

The rabbi leads a 140-year-old congregation in a building erected in 1901 that was under renovation.

Rabbi Holds Prayers in Street After Manhattan Synagogue Burned to Ground

Since the synagogue was under renovation, luckily no Torah scrolls were inside at the time of the fire.

Comments (79)

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  • Socialism_Is_The_New_Black
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:22am

    I have a curious question now that Muslims are back on my radar today. Anybody notice an influx of Muslims in their community? I’ve noticed more and more in the Green Bay community. These are non-English speaking Muslims that appear to be of African origin. We recently became the proud parents of a Mosque. The newspaper stated in Green Bay, mosque representatives met earlier this year with Literacy Green Bay to help English language tutors communicate better with Muslim students. This is at the state funded community college. Is there some fast track visa program for those with no applicable work skills to come here and live the good life on our dime? We really are in a death spiral.

    Report Post »  
    • Jack2011
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:18am

      http://www.amazon.com/Terrorist-Next-Door-Government-Deceiving/dp/1596981520

      Read “The Terrorist Next Door”

      Obama is deliberately dumping Somali Muslims (and other Muslims) all over the Bible Belt and into MIDDLE AMERICA.

      The East and West coast are democrat already so by deluding the FLY OVER states, the democrats become stronger.

      It is also why we have so many HOME GROWN muslim terrorists now.

      Muslims schools teaching religion and hate are given tax exempt status while there is a war going on against anything Christian.

      Report Post »  
    • piper60
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:38am

      Same reason the gun control laws have just become more restrictive down in Texas and that area. Obama-san wants those illegal votes.

      Report Post » piper60  
    • hightide
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:11am

      Yes, they are everywhere.

      Report Post »  
    • Eraldo NY Tea Party
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:33am

      Pray for our people.

      We need jobs.

      God bless.

      Report Post » Eraldo NY Tea Party  
    • Eraldo NY Tea Party
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:50am

      Here in NYC they are like a plague, they have the majority of the food vendors in the city, and the law says that veterans has the preference, in this case veterans from wars against us, is a disgrace, halal food, run for your lives.

      In Queens they are close to “in your face” kind of attitude.

      Be prepared.

      Report Post » Eraldo NY Tea Party  
    • BacktotheFounders
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:12am

      SOCIALISM_IS_…..,

      This is the result of the policies of the State Department under Hillary Clinton in conjunction with Immigration and Naturalization Services.. They claim that these people are persecuted and deserve asylum and then bring them over and dump them on the taxpayers.

      http://www.lexisnexis.com/practiceareas/immigration/pdfs/web744.pdf

      Congress, why are you not overseeing this?

      Report Post »  
    • orderofcincinnatus
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:39pm

      Ask Mr. Obama.

      Report Post »  
  • ShamanWorld
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:04am

    Cry me a river. I’m sure they have insurance that will pay more than the building is worth…

    Report Post » ShamanWorld  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:56am

    On our knees in prayer for this Synagogue and its members. Praying for AMERICA.

    Stay awake, folks. More destruction is on the way; however, the GOOD NEWS IS THE GOOD NEWS and HE is not mocked! One of these days our GOD is going to flatten the opposition, and it is going to be something to see. Do not lose hope.

    GOD BLESS AND PROTECT IN THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, JESUS THE CHRIST, AMEN.

    Report Post »  
    • PurrrpleMtnMajesty
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:38pm

      Reply to kickagrandma

      AMEN! Absolutely praying in agreement with you.

      Look at Israel if you want to know what we will be facing.

      The plight of the Israelis goes unreported in MSM.
      The news is no longer meant to inform, but to influence and dare I say brainwash?

      For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. IS 62:1-2

      Report Post »  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:34am

    I hope The Blaze keeps us updated on the investigation. I hope it was an accident.

    Report Post »  
    • Mikhail Kennedy
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 7:13am

      Rose bin Ellen
      Where were you on Monday night between the hours of 8 and 9 pm?

      Report Post » Mikhail Kennedy  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:29am

    This is terrible. I hope no one was hurt, and it is a shame to see such a beautiful temple burn down.

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 2:19am

    I didn’t hear about this on the news either. Not a peep.. kinda weird. Oh well, I’m glad the Jews voted for Obama. Way to go sheeple!

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • Anamah
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:35am

    To Rabbi Haskel Lookstein and the Manhattan Synagogue Congregation, we are with you in this sad moment, hoping a better future for your temple and each one of you. Stay safe and happy; and please see how this administration is achieving his goals to ruin our country and Israel. Remember it to make a savvy election in 2012. Good luck my friends, Shalom!!!

    Report Post »  
  • ISRAELISOURFRIEND
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:13am

    GOD BLESS ISRAEL!

    God Bless America!

    Report Post » ISRAELISOURFRIEND  
    • TrueGrit
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 5:20am

      Off topic… but with all due respect, do you realize you are displaying the flag wrong?
      The ‘Union’ is always on the upper left to the observer.

      If it’s intentional…ok, but you should check.

      And yes, we all should be with Isreal… the only free nation in the Med east!

      Be well.

      Report Post »  
    • obcynic
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:18pm

      I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you. Can anything be more terrible than to be cursed by God? I believe the day of reckoning is near.

      Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:37am

    I’m so sorry for the loss of their Synagog. I’m glad no-one was seriously hurt. It is good that they still conducted their services. God will be praised when two or more are gathered in His name. God bless them all.

    Report Post »  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:58am

      IF THIS WAS ARSEN, MY WIFE PUT IT THE BEST WAY, WHY DOES THERE HAVE TO BE SO MUCH HATE???

      Like how people treat Glenn’s faith. The Mormons have always been good people who have the highest of standards, no matter their beliefs. Then you have people openly mocking and distorting their beliefs. There was a reporter in Memphis that came out mocking this faith and Romney because of his faith. Watch it here: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/july/reporter_mocks_mormons.html

      Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 12:30am

    I wonder if we’ll ever find out who did it? With dhimmi Bloomberg in charge I’m sure he be right on it!

    Report Post » SilentReader  
    • Sound The Trumpet In Zion
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:17am

      I think that I would seriously start thnking about finding out where obama’s cronies were. Like Van Jones, Wright, Farrakhan, and all of his other Jew hating cronies.

      Report Post » Sound The Trumpet In Zion  
  • flagbearer
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:41pm

    I’m so glad no one was killed or seriously injured. God bless the firefighters and the congregation.

    Report Post »  
  • muhamadhater
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:32pm

    May God be with u people, I truly hope u can rebiuld…I hope it wasnt a muslim that started it, God knows it wouldnt be the first time a muslim burned down a christian church!!
    Death 2 Islam!!
    May God bless all NON muslim countries!!

    Report Post » muhamadhater  
  • go2mikerenzi
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:27pm

    If you see this anywhere else it will be because of The Blaze! If this was a mosque it would be front and center in every paper and on every network!

    Report Post » go2mikerenzi  
  • 264win
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:24pm

    Obama had SEIU burn the synagogue down to make room for a new mosque!

    Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 6:54am

      @264WIN~~~ Indeed, although it was probably soreash behind it. The noman doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together. “mindless idiot” and/ or “soulless idiot” come to mind….

      Report Post »  
  • keenwhiz
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:18pm

    There was not much coverage when Sarah Palin’s church in Wassila was burned down either. Lame stream media is a disgrace.

    Report Post » keenwhiz  
  • santramir
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:14pm

    liberals would say shame it was not a christian church

    Report Post » santramir  
  • PATTY HENRY
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:51pm

    GOD IS WATCHING. I mean. HE CREATED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE…and these little twerps are
    messing with HIM. I’m sorry for the precious momentos and writings, things meaning a lot to
    the people who attended. KEEP GOD in your Hearts…the devil is on the move…dumb jerk…what part of what GOD has said has not come true? !

    Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • Vigilante
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:49pm

    My prayers are with you.
    God Bless you

    Report Post » Vigilante  
  • itsamadhouse
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:49pm

    Since the synagogue was under renovation and the fire started at the top floor, I would check to see if roofing contractors may have been involved. It may be that a new torch-applied roofing membrane was being installed. These older buildings generally have wooden decks that the roof goes on to. They (the old wood roof decks) are highly flammable. I’d put my money on that as a cause.

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:29pm

    I hope they can recover.. my worry is that someone with deep seated hatred for Jews started it. I hope not!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:28pm

    I am sorry to hear this. I hope you can rebuild soon.

    Report Post »  
  • ofallon
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:26pm

    Very sad. Thank goodness no firemen or Torah scrolls were lost in the fire. Seems strange that it started on the top floor.

    Report Post »  
  • okiemomo
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:24pm

    This is sad. Hopefully it was an accident.

    Report Post »  
  • joan k
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:21pm

    Sure hope they had insurance. I would suspect that being under repair it was caused by someone working on it. But in this day and age of returning anti-Semitism…. who knows?

    Report Post » joan k  
  • TheBeezKnow
    Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:20pm

    If this would have been a mosque, all hell would break loose.

    Report Post » TheBeezKnow  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:49pm

      U no IT!

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • MartyTr
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:56pm

      We would be watching it on cnn and msnbc for the next month. Praying for the protection of Jews and Christians around the world. Satan is busy.

      Report Post »  
    • angelcat
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 11:24pm

      That was my immediate thought. It would be the national news and we woul be bombarded by segments on Islamophobia and how Muslims are abused and discriminated against.

      Report Post »  
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