WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County commissioners have approved plans for a synagogue for Orthodox Jews in Century Village near West Palm Beach despite fears it will divide the community.

The meeting Monday was packed with Orthodox Jews who pressed the commissioners to support the request. Critics, though, many of them Jewish, opposed the move, arguing there was no need for the synagogue because there are already synagogues nearby the ultra-religious sect can use.

Hundreds of letters in support and in opposition were submitted to county zoning officials.

But Seth Behn, the lawyer for the synagogue builder, told the commissioners: “This is not a beauty contest,” noting that federal law requires that religious freedom of people be protected.

Orthodox synagogue to use building in commercial complex

In 2011, a dispute broke out at Century Village after Orthodox Jews began holding services inside a condominium unit. Code enforcement agents cited the owner and the practice, for the most part, ended.

Century Village is home to thousands of residents who are aged 55 and older in suburban west Palm Beach.

The measure acted upon Monday will result in Orthodox Jews worshiping at the new synagogue. A vacant 3,100-square-foot building within the 31,800 square-foot retail complex inside Century Village would be converted into a synagogue that will accommodate up to 148 people.

The retail complex, about a quarter-mile from the Haverhill Road entrance, currently has a Walgreens drug store and medical offices.

Khal Chassidim of WPB LLC, based in Brooklyn, bought the complex in October 2021 for $6 million. The owner requested a lifting of a 1993 requirement that uses at the complex be limited to commercial enterprises.

Behn said the synagogue will make it safer for Orthodox Jews to practice their religion, noting they do not ride on the Sabbath. They currently must walk to synagogues outside the community, forcing them to cross Haverhill Road, a congested highway.

In September 2021, Barry Fischman, 59, a Century Village resident, died from the injuries he sustained in an automobile accident as he tried to cross Haverhill Road. He was on his way to attend services.

Behn noted that only Century Village residents would be allowed to frequent the synagogue, but that non-Orthodox Jews would also be welcome to attend services.

Some speakers fear approvals will divide Century Village

Commissioners also approved plans for a swimming pool. Behn said one was needed because Orthodox rules prohibit men and women from using the pool at the same time. Century Village has refused to set aside one of its 17 pools for use by Orthodox Jews, Behn explained, adding that is the reason for a swimming pool to be associated with the synagogue. The pool will be screened off.

Roberta Levin, a longtime resident of Century Village, testified that the proposal may meet the legal criteria but called on commissioners to recognize how much it will divide the community.

Palm Beach County has approved a plan to convert a commercial building at Century Village near west alm Beach into an Orthodox Synagogue. The house of worship would sit near the community's Haverhill Road entrance.

Another resident said approval was tantamount to sanctioning a separate community within Century Village.

“People are going to be very upset,” Levin said. “They should be using the temple across the street.”

Belinda Flores called the plan “a slap in the face from zoning rules.” She was angry that at a previous zoning commission meeting synagogue supporters called opponents “Hitlers,” adding: “That was very insulting.”

County Mayor Gregg Weiss said it was disappointing to see the Century Village community come apart.

“Regardless of what happened today, we all need to get along with each other, and we have a responsibility to work out our differences. I just ask that we put this behind us and agree to disagree," Weiss said.