Thursday, September 27, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
2
Boston-based Jewish congregation buys Fieldston Rd ‘spy house’ By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER A congregation with roots in Chernobyl is planting itself in the shadow of Riverdale’s Russian embassy complex. The Talner Congregation Beth David relocated to Riverdale from the Boston area last year and purchased 5437 Fieldston Road, the site of a nondescript white house reputed to be an intelligence-gathering venue rather than a residence. The property holds an aura of mystery. Telltale signs of abandonment—an accumulation of junk mail and an unkempt yard—were absent, neighbors told the New York Times earlier this month. But even the longtime doorman of the apartment building right across the street had never seen anyone enter or leave the house. Zillow, a service that provides online real estate information, described the
house as a “charming bungalow-style home on a quaint, tree-lined street in beautiful Riverdale.” Apparently not in touch with the community, they claim “the home exudes warmth and comfort.” While the building and its surroundings were surreptitiously maintained, phone lines apparently hooked up to the house were maintained in broad daylight and with suspicious frequency. Considering its position with respect to the 355 West 255th Street embassy compound, locals have accepted the theory that the FBI was using the house for surveillance. The Permanent Mission of the USSR to the United Nations built its 20-story residential tower and school in 1974 to accommodate Russian diplomats and their families. The turf remains enclosed by a no-nonsense security fence.
City records show that in 1977, 5437 Fieldston Road was purchased by Van Cortland Realty, a company operating out of Ellicott City, Maryland, not far from Washington, D.C. Last November, Van Cortland sold the property to Talner Congregation Beth David of New York for $400,000. They entrusted the Manhattan real estate brokerage firm Wexford Enterprises with the sale. When contacted for comment, Wexford CEO Kevin A. Smith said he’s “not at liberty to say anything” about Van Cortland Realty, with whom he signed a confidentiality agreement and for whom he “does a lot of work.” The congregation reportedly plans to tear down the house and replace it with
a synagogue. Meanwhile, Beth David members are worshiping in a modest rented storefront around the corner at 5628 Mosholu Avenue. Real estate agent Susan Goldy, now of Halstead Property, arranged the rental—which is next-door to her office—but said she has no details on the Fieldston Avenue sale. According to a rudimentary website, Beth David relocated last year from its home in Brookline, Massachusetts. “The shul moved to Riverdale, NY, where Rabbi Mayer Twersky, younger son of the late Talner Rebbe, Rabbi Isadore Twersky, has a synagogue.” The Twerskys are linked with a Hasidic dynasty that originated in the Ukrainian cities of Chernobyl and Talne.
Co-op board reverses error on canine house rules By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER A dispute between shareholders and a co-op board over canine guests at 3720 Independence Avenue appears to be resolving after nearly six years. The co-op’s board of directors threatened shareholders Rita and Murray Hyman with eviction and terminated their proprietary lease, claiming the couple had breached a house rule about harboring pets. But the pets in question—Rocky, a Maltese, and Vegas, a poodle-Maltese mix—were in fact visiting grand-dogs owned by their daughter, Julie Hyman. Pets are not permitted to reside in the building, but they are indeed permitted to visit. Both parties have attempted to settle before, but the bone of contention was a
co-op-imposed confidentiality agreement. The Hymans considered the agreement unfair because it forbade them or anyone acting in their behalf from disclosing information to the press while the co-op would not hold their own representatives to the agreement, according to Julie Hyman. At this point, the fight has concluded. Board president Bob Moll said the current board inherited the matter from a prior set of directors. “Dogs are welcome in our building all day long,” said Moll, who revealed that the current board has dropped the case against the Hymans and plans to reinstate their proprietary lease. Some paperwork needs to be completed before the deal is sealed, but “it’s over as far as we’re concerned,” Moll said.
Great Music at Christ Church Riverdale Presents
Saturday, October 13, 2012
7:30pm
Complimentary reception will follow the performance
$20 adults / $15 students & seniors For tickets and info visit www.christchurchriverdale.org Christ Church Riverdale 5030 Henry Hudson Parkway Bronx, NY 10463
(718)543-1011