With Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, the Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont Chabad in Milford doesn't have much time to open its doors again after a fire last fall destroyed most of the synagogue's interior and damaged the social hall next door.
“We had the fire last year, Oct. 14, and we committed that our building would be open for the holidays," said Joel Levitz, president of the congregation. "We're down to the wire, but we're going to have one of the buildings open to hold services.”
Construction crews have been busy trying to finish the first phase of the project and get everything set for the services scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday and Friday mornings at 9 a.m.
They even worked Sunday and Labor Day to put the final touches on the work to renovate the social hall where everyone will gather.
“It's been the typical, as you get to the end of the project, it's the big rush, but we're used to it,” said Jim Pino, Jr. of Olympus Construction.
After the social hall is fixed, crews will then turn to the other building where the fire originated. The goal is to fix both buildings, then link them together to make a bigger place of worship for the Woodmont community.
“In the Bible, it tells us from the ashes you get gold. So for something bad, we're going to get something good. I guess you look at the positive and work towards it,” said Levitz.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com