HISTORY! Demolition of Old Skverer Beis Medrash to Begin This Week; Closures Announced in New Square

By Rockland Daily Staff

Demolition of the historic old Skverer Beis Medrash in New Square is set to begin this week, the week of Parshas Toldos, according to notices posted in the village. The work will clear the way for the new Heichal HaShulchanos and Heichal HaTorah planned for the site.

The entire area surrounding the building, including the parking lot, will be closed off during the work. The notices stress that pedestrians may not enter the construction area.

Truman Avenue will be closed at various times throughout the project. Even when open during the week, the street will allow only a narrow, one-way passage for vehicles, with no parking available. The main entrance to the new Beis Medrash on Truman will also be closed during the week, including Friday, and will open on Shabbos.

A separate safety notice carries an urgent appeal to parents to keep a close watch on their children. Children must not climb over the fencing or enter the closed-off area, the notice warns, describing the danger as "sakkanas nefashos mamash."

The notices acknowledge that the closures will disrupt residents' daily routines, while emphasizing that the restrictions are temporary and expressing hope that the community will soon see the project completed.

As previously covered by Rockland Daily, the old Beis Medrash was closed after a section of its ceiling collapsed in August. No injuries occurred. Engineers and safety experts subsequently found the building structurally unsafe, and its regular minyanim, shiurim and services were relocated to the new main shul nearby.

Plans for the replacement building include an expansive Heichel HaTorah on the first floor, providing space for learning throughout the day, with a new Tish Shteeb above it for the tishen, simchos and major gatherings.