Palm Beach Gardens, FL – As Rabbi Dovid Vigler’s arm sweeps across the cavernous empty firehouse, it’s almost possible to see, as he does, how grand it will be.
There will be a sanctuary with a soaring high ceiling and a balcony overlooking a social hall for weddings and parties.
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This vacant firehouse will be the new home of the Gardens Shul, a Chabad congregation.
“Our dream is to make it exquisite, something people will be proud to come into,” said Vigler.
The building cost $1.2 million. Remodeling is expected to cost $500,000 to $700,000.
Palm Beach Gardens real estate broker Michael Falk found the firehouse, donated his fee to the congregation, though he is not a member. Vigler loved the symbolism of a religious community in a firehouse.
The boyish-looking rabbi, 27, has been a religious leader half his life. Growing up in South Africa, before he could even drive, he acted as his rabbi father’s surrogate.
Chana Vigler, 24, the granddaughter of one of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson’s close associates, grew up in Europe and speaks seven languages.
The Viglers are expecting a second child soon.
“We might be very young, but people don’t realize the kind of experiences we had before we came here,” said Chana Vigler.
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If I were to lay out a shul around an old fire house I would definitely find a way to utilize the pole! I am not sure if its having reserves to call up for a minyan needing a few more called up, or for calling up for an aliyah from the men’s balcony.
B”H chabad again!! Nerus lehaeir…be a shining light to all yidden
haztacha rabbaha
Check out Palm Beach for its new Torah Academy and learning opportunities.
Not the first Firehouse Shul… that was in Fort Lee, NJ, until a few years ago they moved to a different location. A Rabbi Moshe Shapiro, I think…
IN Jerusalem there is an active firehouse with a shul in it. The mostly secular firemen built in their spare time