Young Israel of Woodmere Seeks Expansion [Updated]

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information about a new application date.

sought permission from the Town of Hempstead on Wednesday to expand its facilities, with officials noting the current sanctuary cannot accommodate its large and growing congregation.

“There’s been a tremendous increase in the orthodox population of our area. We are the largest orthodox synagogue in the area and perhaps in Nassau County,” said Rabbi Hershel Billet, YIW’s spiritual leader for 31 years. “People want to use our facility and pray there, but we don’t have the space to accommodate them during the Sabbath and holiday services.”

YIW has expanded steadily over the past 50 years, seeking variances from the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals almost every decade. The shul was built on the property in 1963. Eleven years later, it was expanded. In 1989, YIW acquired two dwellings and sought permission to use them for educational and social purposes. It was also granted a parking variance. The shul has not sought any major zoning decisions since then.

The temple now serves some 950 to 1,000 families, but with its existing structure, congregants have to spread out to different rooms and times, Billet said. With its application to the BZA, YIW seeks to expand its facilities to adjacent land.

“The applicant has acquired three more houses for the purpose of additional construction, which is sought to be approved on this application,” said William Cohn, YIW’s attorney.  “They are to be demolished if the application is approved. They are being used at times presently to accommodate the overflow, since the sanctuary cannot accommodate the persons in attendance.”

In its application, the temple is seeking several variances, including one for a front yard setback on Peninsula Boulevard, the construction of one- and two-story additions to the existing structure and for parking.

A new application date will have to be set for YIW at the BZA, since Cohn failed to notify neighbors of the Nov. 30 meeting, according to his partner, William Bonesso. As soon as the attorneys are given a new date by the BZA, they will send letters to all the neighbors.

Robert Eschbacher, a traffic-engineering consultant working for YIW, testified on the temple’s behalf.

“There will be not be any significant change to parking or traffic situations that already exist,” he said. “The proposed application will not result in increased attendance. People come and they are being accommodated, although in cramped quarters.”

BZA member Gerald Wright seemed to be in support of the shul’s expansion.

“The whole purpose of a religious organization is to accommodate the needs of the community,” he said. “What I’m hearing is that the community is expanding and now wants to be part of the congregation — I don’t see how you can deny them.”

After YIW resubmits its application, BZA members will visit the existing structure.

“It’s an existing building that’s been running in the same manner,” said Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman David Weiss, hinting at support for the project. “You think it’d be a no brainer, but there’s no such animal.”