Hewlett residents meet over temple sale

There were questions, comments and suggestions as nearly 60 people gathered at Da Nicola restaurant in Hewlett for a Hewlett Residents Association meeting on July 16.

Established by Peter Halperin and Stephen Krown, the newly created organization was formed in response to the apparent sale of Congregation Beth Emeth, a Reconstructionist Jewish temple for $2.4 million, to a company that is listed as Kingdom Resources, Inc. of Long Beach. The sale, which needs to be recommended by the state Attorney General’s office, met all statutory requirements, according to AG officials and now needs final approval from Nassau State Supreme Court. The matter has yet to be placed on the court’s docket.

The listed principal of Kingdom Resources is Elsie Obed, who is also the president of a group called Lilies International Christian Outreach, a ministry that has as its mission according to its website “to propagate the gospel and increase God-consciousness globally.”

Halperin and Krown said that the ministry is known for holding large services and could bring more people into the 15,400-square-foot building than its 320-people capacity can legally hold. In addition, they say the greater number of people could be a danger to the community’s safety.

“What is going on could cause a tremendous hazard to our community,” said Halperin, noting the lack of parking in the immediate area and concern about emergency vehicles not being able to move through packed streets.

Krown said that though the AG’s office didn’t object to the sale, the comment period remains open and he encouraged the residents to contact the AG with their comments.

According to Halperin and Krown they invited Larry Kalvar, president of Congregation Beth Emeth, and Obed to the meeting. The men said they didn’t hear from Kalvar, but Obed replied by email that she couldn’t attend.

As attendees bandied about comments, Charles Kovit, a Town of Hempstead attorney spoke at length about what the group could possibly do to strengthen its position. Kovit suggested the association look to hire a zoning attorney should the purchaser seek building variances. He told the group that the town has jurisdiction on any variances and they should understand whether the buyers need to go to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals or if they can do specific things “as of right.” “You can and should pursue these issues, but they won’t carry the day if it is a legitimate religious use,” he said.

Richard Rosenberg, who is also a lawyer, and a 40-year resident of Hewlett, was impressed by the amount of information presented at the meeting. “It was informative telling us about the approval procedure of the issue and the attorney was very knowledgeable,” said Rosenberg referring to Kovit.

Sam Levine, a 16-year resident of Garden Town, an apartment complex located near the temple, said it was an excellent meeting and he gained a bit more knowledge about the situation. “Now, it’s up to the people to do whatever they are going to do,” he said.