As bad as it is for a shul to become a church, it is far worse for a shul to have its Aron Kodesh replaced with a phat Buddha idol.
Charlie, I just got this in an email. It’s about one shul in the Bronx that remains empty rather than become a church.
A Man of Principles (from the obituary of Rabbi David B. Hollander )
But an organization that Rabbi Hollander was ideologically opposed to offered the only hope of the synagogue being able to repay the rabbi. Knowing that he would not approve of the sale, the board members solicited, and received, approbations from several rabbinical authorities.
True to form, Rabbi Hollander refused to sanction the transaction.
Board members exited the room misty-eyed, in awe that the rabbi they came to revere made such a sacrifice.