Bronx, NY - The end is likely near for the Educational Jewish Center in Pelham Parkway.
There are so few congregants left that director Alec Feldman often has to pay cash, $10 a head, just to get the 10 men necessary to make a minyon, or prayer group. In a year, maybe two, Feldman figures he'll finally say yes to one of those real estate developers who wants to buy the Bronx property and turn it into condos.
One thing is for sure, though: He and the 50 or so worshipers will not be forced out by whoever thinks it's funny to vandalize the synagogue housed in the center. Three times since May, rocks and chunks of concrete have been hurled through the synagogue's stained-glass windows. Seventeen panes have some kind of damage.
No one has been hurt, yet the pain is immeasurable.
"This place is dear to us," says Sally Schulman, 80. "It gives us strength. This is our home. We're going to fix the windows and stay here." [amny]