While the legal issues and history of the Orthodox synagogue at Yeshiva Rambam — Congregation Machzikei Torah or CMT — are too involved for this letter and will be decided by the courts, it is important to clarify a few matters and misimpressions that people may have gotten from your numerous articles about the Hebrew Language Academy (HLA) charter school now renting space in that building (“For Now, Hebrew Charter School Is ‘Sababa,” Oct. 16).
First, the eviction notice had nothing to do with not paying rent. On the contrary, until the date of the eviction notice we were fully paid up to the yeshiva on all rents. (Suffice it to say, we find it repugnant that a yeshiva evict an Orthodox minyan from the premises that have housed us for more than five decades.) Second, our rental and use of the auditorium was never exclusive; it was always a facility we shared with Yeshiva Rambam. And even now, we do not use the auditorium during the time that the HLA has classes in session. We have never blocked the HLA from using the auditorium, not by physically occupying the space or by request. In fact, if they would be so kind as to leave our Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark) and bookcases containing our siddurim (prayer books) and chumashim (Bibles) as is, we would welcome their use of the facility when we are not there.
Alas, while we have no problem sharing the use of the auditorium with the HLA, the HLA has a problem sharing it with us.
Member, CMT Board of Directors Note: None of the Jewish Week articles about the Hebrew Language Academy charter school said that Congregation Machzikei Torah, which has no lease, was delinquent in its rent payments.
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