By COLlive reporter
The small gated gated room located across the small “upstairs” shul in 770 Eastern Parkway always served a double purpose.
It’s sandwiched between the similarly small spaces used by the administration of the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch and the WLCC organization which would broadcast the Rebbe‘s farbrengens.
It would often be opened by 770 Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai Mentlik or Rabbi Meir Harlig of the Vaad Hamesader (organization committee) to retrieve wine or vodka for the farbrengens.
The actual purpose of the room was the air conditioning system that would cool off the central headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, where tens of thousands would visit for prayers and to meet the Rebbe.
The 770 building in Brooklyn, built in the 1930s for a medical center, was purchased in 1940 by Agudas Chassidei Chabad to serve as a synagogue and a home for the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn.
A few adjustments were made in the building to better serve the Frierdiker Rebbe, including an elevator for wheelchair access. Installed in 1944 was a large air conditioning system on the roof. A small room off the lobby controlled it.
With over 70 years passing since, a new system is being installed for the first time to better serve congregants and guests. Its cost of $80,000 is being generously covered by real estate owner Mordechai Nagel of Crown Heights.
R’ Chaim Boruch Halberstam, who ran WLCC, was seen overseeing the installation and answering the questions of bystanders as to why a crane was parked in front of 770.
With warm weather oddly occurring often this winter in New York, they might actually turn it on even before the summer.
that the Women’s shul on Kingston Avenue was included in this upgrade. Since the back wall near Kingston entrance was eliminated years ago to make more room, the existing air conditioning has been totally inadequate. Crowding is one thing, but an almost complete lack of AIR is another. As we know, the women pay full price for their seats & it is truly unpleasant and unhealthy during Tisrei. I hope it is not too late to call in an expert.
whether you have to imagine; remember, or actually still feel the (good) pressure of fellow Chassidim and the need for lung expansion…an additional few square inches for any purpose is tremendous news. The last extra few square inches vos es gedenkt zich mir is the coat hook alcove across from the Hanholo’s office. Moshiach Now!
So you think that Hillel II, when he set up the calendar that we use (and predetermined what years will and won’t be leap years), knew in advance what the weather would be this year?
Correction: The elevator was there before the FR purchased the building. In fact, it’s one of the reasons this particular building was purchased.
there are 2 adars BECAUSE it is still warm, not the other way around.
A big Yashar Coach !! to Reb Mordechai Nagel. A true Bal Tzedoke !! He always looks to benefit others. a true partner of Hashem. May he and his family have good health, continued wealth and chasidishe nachas!!
they should have fixed up that room a bit now that it was empty
it is only warm weather now because there is 2 adars this year!!!
Either the valuable cooling fuel cools the floor sufficiently, or not. Apparently not.
the cooling fuel in the old system is worth a fortune, per once it cost more than gold.