Broken pipe floods Temple Shalom

Rabbi Marc Jagolinzer stands near the source of the damage. /PHOTO | REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE NEWPORT DAILY NEWSThe weekend of Feb. 13-14 was unusual during what has been a particularly warm winter. Temperatures dipped below zero. Homeowners were warned to beware of frozen pipes.

Rabbi Marc Jagolinzer of Temple Shalom, in Middletown, said he worried a little about the synagogue building because there had been “issues” with the heating system. “When I entered the building,” he said in an email to The Voice, “I was pleased to feel the warmth of the heat in each of the rooms.”

Unfortunately, what he didn’t realize was that, despite the heat, a pipe had frozen.

The heat in the building continued to function and the temperatures outside eventually rose. But the frozen pipe, between the men’s and ladies’ rooms thawed and burst.

On Thursday, Feb. 18, Jagolinzer entered the building to find his feet sloshing in water. “As I walked from room to room, I found water in the majority of the building,” he said. “ The rugs were soaked. Never in my wildest dreams did I think a pipe would burst. We’ve occupied the building since 1978 without a problem.”

Within an hour, the water was shut off. But the damage was done.

Jagolinzer told The Voice that the building is not usable until it is dried out and repaired. Rugs and tile have been removed. Floors must be dried to prevent mold. There are holes in walls where the leaks and pipe shutoffs were located. “We have no running water, lavatories or heat,” he said. “We are told that it will be several months” before the congregation can use the building.

Now, the congregation is trying to get the word out.

Jagolinzer, who is active in the interfaith community on Aquidneck Island, said he spoke at a local church Feb. 28. “People were coming up to me to express their emotions for our plight. I was deeply and sincerely touched by these gestures.”

The congregation has experienced devastation in the past. In 1974, their former building was hit with arson. “We lost everything,” said Jagolinzer. “At that time, our congregation and our community rallied around us and eased our sadness and our burden. We came back stronger than before. We hope that this will be the case again this time.”

Jagolinzer said the congregation is trying to move its various activities to other locations in the Middletown area.  At press time, two events have been rescheduled.

Shabbat Across America, scheduled for March 4, will be held at t Forest Farm Assisted Living Center, 191 Forest Ave., Middletown. A deli dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. with Shabbat services following at 7:30.

The Purim spiel – “Lions and Tigers and Bears, OY VEY” – will go on as planned but at the United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, Middletown.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.