East Nassau Hebrew Synagogue

The East Nassau Hebrew Synagogue is a formerly closed church in New York. It was the first Orthodox Shul in the region.

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The East Nassau Hebrew Synagogue was founded in 1956 by Rabbi Morris Appleman ² and was the first Orthodox Shul in the region. ³

In 2003, the Torah Academy of Long Island signed a four-year and 11-month lease to operate a school out of the building, ¹ and the Academy was expected to buy the building after their lease term expired. ³ The school closed in August over low enrollment. ²

Citing a gradual decline in membership, Rabbi Solomon Appleman opted to sell the synagogue in 2006, ² but a group of area residents, who claimed to be synagogue members, sued to block the sale. The group wanted to pay the rabbi $1 million to force the sale of the building to them so they could reorganize the congregation with the help of a local Chabad. The rabbi insisted that those who filed the suit were never members of the congregation. ²

The Synagogue closed after the conclusion of High Holy Days in 2006. ² It ran into controversy when attempting to sell the property to a Korean church in 2009, ¹ which was eventually allowed to proceed. As of 2018, the former Synagogue remained shuttered and abandoned.

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Sources

1. “Syosset, NY – Sale Of Shul Goes To Court Share Tweet Share Mail.” Vos Iz Neias, 5 May 2009.
2. Ain, Stewart. “Syosset Shul a Tough Sell.” New York Jewish Week, 8 Jun. 2007.
3. Appleman, Solomon. “Rabbi Allegedly Resigns From RCA Over Chabad Shul “Stealing” Imbroglio, Leaked Emails Show.” FailedMessiah.com, 2 Jan. 2013. Article.