Questions About The Synagogue

To the Editor:

I have a few questions about the construction of the synagogue on Huntingtown Road (realize when I refer below to synagogue, temples and churches, I consider them all similar as houses of worship):

Have you ever had a realtor in Newtown say the value of a property was negatively affected by being too close to a church? If people expect schools to be built or enlarged, would they not also expect synagogues to grow? Do churchgoers normally speed on their way to worship (as compared with daily commuters, teenagers, or local residents)? What does a large synagogue say about the character of a neighborhood? Do you think of a temple as a commercial structure? What type of business is being conducted at these places? Can you ever have too many people join a synagogue? If churches were bigger, would parents bring their children? Does the visual appearance of a large synagogue in the area not remind everyone of the dedication of these people to the love of God and encourage others to do the same?

Sincerely,

Mark Dennen

6 Old Green Road, Sandy Hook                                     July 26, 2004