Teardown of temple is blocked

THEIR

A Brooklyn judge temporarily blocked the demolition of the oldest synagogue in Borough Park after members argued the sale of the building was based on misrepresentations.

Chevra Anshei Lubawitz, on 12th Ave. and 41st St., was sold for $3.1 million on June 14 to developer Moses Karpen, records show. The developer wants to demolish the building and convert it to a six-story apartment building.

As part of the deal, the synagogue would pay $3 million for the first floor and basement of the new building and use them as a temple.

Seventeen members of the synagogue say they only found out about the sale a few days after it occurred. They contend two board members behind the sale made no effort to seek other offers and that the building was never offered on the open market before it was sold to Karpen, who is a friend of one of the board members.

Supporters of the sale insist there was nothing untoward about the deal, noting the congregation will have a brand-new space under the arrangement.

But critics — who are seeking to block the deal in court — say the building was undersold by at least $1 million, based on another deal in the neighborhood. PRAYERS were answered.