In just a few weeks, Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway will be forced to remove the entire brick façade of its beautiful building due to widespread cracking and buckling of the bricks.
In May the serene school day at Bnos Bais Yaakov was interrupted by a resounding vibration as a significant portion of the school building’s brick façade became disengaged from the main structure. Students jumped in alarm and were directed to the lunchroom for an impromptu assembly. Under the guidance of construction professionals, the school was forced to immediately stage a controlled collapse, while implementing extreme precautions to ensure that everyone remained safe.
After the collapse, a team of engineers commissioned by the school evaluated the extent of the damage, the cause of the collapse, and the steps necessary to rehabilitate the building. Though they gave clearance for the building to remain in use temporarily, these professionals advised that the school must immediately replace the entire façade since there are similar faults throughout the entire brick face as well as signs of significant deterioration. This project will cost the school over $1.2 million.
Without these funds, the school cannot commence this critical project. The situation is urgent. To hundreds of students, Bnos Bais Yaakov is more than just a school; it is a home away from home. Students and teachers arrive each day excited and eager to learn and grow. It is impossible to continue operating under these conditions, but we cannot turn our students down.
To raise the vital funds necessary, BBY has initiated a “bricks and mortar emergency campaign.” Parents have extended themselves over and beyond their tuition obligations to raise the necessary funds, but significant monies are still needed. The Far Rockaway/Five Towns community is renowned for its generosity to Jewish causes all over the world. While many have already stepped forward to aid in the campaign, they need the entire community to lend their support for this urgent need in our own backyard. Through the generosity of the community, and with the help of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, the school will open its doors as scheduled, be’H.
This is a serious safety concern and the school year is nearly upon us. Hundreds of students and faculty will be arriving at school in just a few weeks.
Please visit Rayze.it/bbybricks/ to make a generous donation and make an indelible impact on the chinuch of over 1,250 girls.
