Fortitude and Faith: The Maple Street Shul Saga

Young Chassidim living in Crown Heights may not be aware of the fact that Crown Heights was once predominantly a Jewish neighborhood. When the Jews moved en- masse to other neighborhood, our Rebbe told his Chassidim not to take part in the exodus, but to remain in Crown Heights. It was a frightful position, but the Chassidim stayed.

THE REBBE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ELI BLACHMAN AND THE MAPLE STREET SHUL

The Rebbe also told his Chassidim to rescue Shuls that had been left stranded with no Jews living nearby. He did not want the Shuls used as churches or for other inappropriate purposes.

Congregation Ahavas Moische AKA The Maple Street Shul was one of the Shuls that was in danger and needed to be rescued. At that time, Maple Street seemed to be miles away from Montgomery Street. Walking there on Shabbos was considered to be lengthy and dangerous. Eli Moishe Blachman used to stand on the corner of Albany and Lefferts Avenues, coaxing people to join the Minyan on Maple Street. It was an arduous, unappreciated task. The first of many such tasks that Eli Blachman would experience as he heeded the Rebbe’s call and began his dedication to The Maple Street Shul.

Read More: @ crownheights.info

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