Three days after a devastating fire destroyed historic Congregation Poile Zedek, the city's last surviving Orthodox Jewish congregation, its members are struggling to determine their future.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Three days after a devastating fire destroyed historic Congregation Poile Zedek, the city's last surviving Orthodox Jewish congregation, its members are struggling to determine their future.
Armed with brooms, members began cleaning up broken glass outside and went inside to see what they could salvage from the building, dedicated in 1923.
But there isn't much other than the four walls.
Robert Dorfman, executive director of the synagogue, said Monday the congregation is working on arranging a place to hold services, but hasn't finalized anything yet.
Dorfman said "every congregation" in the areas has offered use of their sanctuary, but the logistics have to be worked out.
The fire was reported at 4:19 p.m. Friday and under control by 8 p.m., according to authorities, who said it started on the first floor. The cause appears to be accidental, officials said, but the specific cause is under investigation.
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Poile Zedek's congregation is older and Orthodox congregation members walk to services on the Sabbath.
Dorfman said there are about 150 affiliated families in the congregation, which dates back about 150 years.
"The community has been absolutely wonderful," Dorfman said. "They have been volunteering to do all kinds of things, but the truth is, I don't know what we need yet. We're just in the early stages."
He said they want to rebuild the National Historic landmark, but "we're destitute."
"Nobody's a kid here," Dorfman said.
His assistant, Kevin Leff, began the cleanup Sunday and was on hand Monday, trying to sweep up the broken glass and other fragments left behind outside from the fire.
"He's one of the younger ones and he's in his 50's," Dorfman said.
There were between 10 and 12 sacred scrolls, known as Torahs, in the synagogue's sanctuaries. Rabbi Abraham Myckoff ran into the burning building Friday afternoon and managed to save one, but the others, including several about 100 years old, were destroyed. The silver adornments on them and the silver pointers used during services also melted during the fire.
"I told my wife now I understand when people say they are heartsick," Dorfman said. "It is more than a death."
He said he has received calls from around the country and other countries from people who heard about the fire, giving their support.
Rabbi Akiva Weiss, the former rabbi for the Rutgers Hillel in New Brunswick, wrote on his Facebook page that he was "devastated" by news of the fire and strove to create a stronger connection between the students at Hillel and the older congregants at Poile Zedek.
"I am so grateful beyond words for those four wonderful years I was able to give and receive from that special place called Poile Zedek," he said. "Hopefully others have had the same chance and experience and I look forward to seeing what I can do to help them now as well."
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
