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Aug. 31, 2012 A two-alarm fire guts KollelThe rebuilding is expected to take at least two months.
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Though the damage was extensive, books, sifrei Torah and other items were undamaged. |
It will be at least two months until the Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel reopens after a fire gutted the centre, located at 1965 West Broadway in Vancouver.
When the two-alarm fire broke out just before 1 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, it was unclear if it was coming from the Kollel or from Maple Grill, the kosher restaurant housed below. No one was hurt in the incident.
“The cleaning staff at the restaurant downstairs was still working (thank G-d!) and noticed the smoke and flames. She called 911,” Kollel director Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu told the Jewish Independent.
Investigators have been unable to determine the cause of the fire, though possible faulty wiring was an initial theory, and damage to the interior of the centre is extensive.
“There were theories, including wiring, a cigarette from the patio next door that was thrown down and got into a vent and was fuelled by the grease [in] the vent [but] they didn’t see any clear signs pointing to arson as the cause,” explained Yeshayahu, who has served as Kollel director since it was established in 2001.
“The damage is extensive to the space. The structure of the building is fine, but the whole interior, including flooring, ceiling, insulation, etc., is being removed. We expect the repairs to take at least two months.” A statement on the Kollel’s website assured that books, sifrei Torah and other significant items were undamaged.
Numerous educational, spiritual and social events take place each week at the Kollel and Yeshayahu and his staff have had to shuffle their programs in the interim, while the investigation and repairs go forward. With the High Holidays approaching, the need to find alternate space was especially pressing.
“We have arranged to use the Maple Grill for Shabbat, a board room nearby for classes, Maple Grill for morning services and the Jewel Ballroom [and Catering, in the 1400 block of West 8th Avenue] for High Holidays and larger Shabbat events.”
The Jewel Ballroom will be the location for all High Holiday services and also for the “large Rosh Hashanah dinner and the meal before the [Yom Kippur] fast. The ballroom can accommodate 500 people,” Yeshayahu noted.
As for the recovery and rebuilding effort, the Kollel’s website statement added, “Thank G-d we are fully insured, with a relatively small deductible.” However, the Kollel is welcoming donations.
“We are starting a building fund campaign to raise money to increase the security at the Kollel,” Yeshayahu told the Independent. “We would like to invest in proper gates, a fence, add more cameras and lighting for the outside area at the Kollel. We would also like to take this opportunity to replace the roof, which has been leaking every winter for the past few years.”
As for a lesson that can be learned after such a setback, Yeshayahu concluded, “Judaism teaches us that with every crisis comes the challenge for increased growth. Despite this challenging time, we intend to add more events and activities. We will continue to grow, despite the difficulty of finding appropriate spaces for each event.”
For more information on Kollel programs, events and services, including changes to the locations in which they are held, visit thekollel.com.