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| For 115 years, Congregation B’nai Zion (“CBZ”) served
the citizens of Key West and its Jewish community without incident. In
the early morning hours of April 16, 2002, however, a fire ripped through
the synagogue’s utility room, leaving the place in ruins from smoke
damage and burned asbestos. Federal Investigators determined that the fire
was a deliberately set arson. Immediate offers of rewards totally $11, 500 failed to flush out those responsible for this heinous offense and no arrests have ever been made. (The $11,500 reward was made up of $5,000 from the synagogue’s insurance carrier, $5,000 from the Anti Defamation League, $1,000 from Crime Stoppers and $500 came from Key West’s local Chabad Congregation.) In addition, investigators have refused to label the arson a hate crime because of the absence of prior threats or symbols that point to hatred as the motivation behind the setting of the fire. The synagogue found itself with a gutted sanctuary/social hall, bare and empty. The Rabbi's residence was only slightly damaged by smoke (as were the Torahs). After holding services for two months in the social hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the synagogue's members started having services that they conducted themselves in the living room of the former Rabbi’s residence. (As an aside, shortly before the date of the fire, the then Rabbi had submitted his resignation.) Bert Bender, an excellent local architect, donated his services to redesign and draw plans for the re-construction. CBZ began the slow process of rebuilding and remodeling, adding classrooms for Hebrew lessons for the children and expanding and modernizing the kitchen. Could the synagogue be rebuilt? Was this test of our faith a battle that could be won? The cost estimate for this rebuilding and expansion rose to $1.3 million. The synagogue’s insurance paid something in the neighborhood of about $700,000, leaving the members with a $600,000 fund raising goal. Part of the deficit arose because the ceiling insulation contained asbestos. This added $90,000 to the repair costs just to remove all of the burned and asbestos-contaminated contents of the building. In order to inform the public of our situation, Tom Buchler and Sid Wharton created this Web site. The response from the local community was heart-warming. Churches offered their facilities and donated money. Through the local media and pleas to our friends and families, the synagogue initially raised $56,000. But publicity about the attack was minimal, especially outside of Key West and there was little, if any, national coverage. At that time, Lori Katz, a local accountant, and Justin Kawaler, a retired businessman, came to the rescue. With her significant managerial skills and dedication, Ms. Katz organized several formal, fund-raising dinners and silent auctions, which raised significant moneys. Mr. Kawaler was extremely generous in making matching grants. Most important, citizens within and without Key West, members and non-members of CBZ, Jews and Gentiles, Gays and Lesbians, donated their time, moneys and talents to the task of revitalizing and rebuilding CBZ and in so doing, recreated that indomitable spirit that is the hallmark of this community. As you sit in our new sanctuary and pray, please take a moment to look around and enjoy the surroundings that were so lovingly restored over the past five years. Think of the impressive efforts and sacrifices, both in time and money, which were spent in its restoration. We urge that you continue the work of the “rebuilders”; make the same financial efforts and engage in the same time-consuming work that are required to maintain the continuity of Congregation B’nai Zion from generation to generation----our shared customs and traditions. Please come and enjoy the shul; explore the new gardens; visit the Family Learning Center; spend time with our new Rabbi, Shimon Dudai; participate in the ever-expanding calendar of social and religious events; attend the monthly Friday night Shabbat dinners. Most important, join us in 2007 to celebrate B’nai Zion’s 120th anniversary. This new building of glass and stone has become our spiritual home—please make it your home as well. Congregation B’nai Zion was and is a place where you can come to pray, to study, to meet with friends, to grieve, to cry, to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for a parent, relative or friend, to celebrate a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah, or perhaps, just to share a lox and bagel nosh with others during the Saturday morning Kiddush. This synagogue and all that it represents—and has represented for 120 years-- still needs YOUR help. Please tell everyone you know about what occurred here and how we are continuing to rebuild and expand for the future; tell them about our Web site (www.BnaiZionKW.org); and ask them to aid this Jewish community in fighting back. Please take a moment and add your financial help by writing a check, made payable to CBZ in any amount that you deem appropriate. Please mail your check to CBZ, 750 United Street, Key West, FL 33040. We will be so appreciative and you’ll be glad you did it. Thank you and Shalom. |
CBZ President Fred Covan in front of the synagogue entrance sealed shut due to asbestos contamination.
The destroyed electrical room where the fire was set.
The super-heated smoke destroyed the social hall.
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B'Nai Zion · 750 United Street · Key West, FL 33040 © Copyright 2002-2007 Congregation B'Nai Zion. All rights reserved. |
