Bnei Brak Synagogue Flooded by Heavy Rains, Devastating Congregation
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A synagogue in Bnei Brak was completely flooded with water and mud, reaching nearly half a meter high, after heavy rains. Worshippers discovered the devastation upon arriving for Saturday morning prayers. The synagogue gabbai stated that the congregation had previously warned the municipality about drainage issues, but no action was taken. Efforts are underway to pump out the water and clean the damaged building.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A Bnei Brak synagogue was flooded with water and mud reaching nearly half a meter high.
- Worshippers discovered the flooded synagogue upon arriving for Saturday morning prayers.
- The synagogue gabbai, Dov Friedman, described the scene as impossible to enter.
- Heavy rains caused rainwater to flow from an upper courtyard into the lower synagogue.
- Congregants had previously warned the Bnei Brak municipality about drainage problems.
- Efforts are underway to pump out water and clean the damaged synagogue.
The Radzyn synagogue in western Bnei Brak was completely flooded during Shabbat due to heavy rains that fell on the city. Worshippers arriving for morning prayers on Saturday were shocked to find the synagogue filled with water and mud, reaching nearly half a meter high in some areas. Significant damage was sustained by the building.
Upon arrival for prayers, synagogue gabbai Dov Friedman described the scene: "We arrived at the synagogue this morning and simply couldn't enter. The entire synagogue was flooded, from the entrance to the depths of the prayer hall. The water reached a height of almost half a meter. Everything at a low level, books and equipment, was in the water. It was impossible to enter."
Friedman explained that the flooding was caused by large amounts of rainwater flowing from the upper courtyard into the synagogue, which is located on a lower level. "It wasn't just water. Everything came with mud and sand. All the sand from the courtyard above was washed in. We are on a lower floor, and everything entered the synagogue like a waterfall," he recounted.
As a result of the flood, Shabbat prayers could not be held at the synagogue, and congregants had to disperse to other synagogues in the area. After Shabbat concluded, efforts began to pump out the water and remove the mud and sand in an attempt to mitigate the damage to the structure and its contents.
Friedman claims the incident was preventable, stating that congregants had repeatedly contacted the Bnei Brak municipality in recent weeks to warn about drainage issues in the area. "We spoke with the municipality weeks ago, and also during the past week. We said there was a drainage problem and it needed to be addressed. We warned again and again, but nothing was done. Then the deluge came at night and everything was washed in," he said. Congregants are now working to remove the water and sand, assessing the full extent of the damage.