Funding

Ok - so we have got the show on the road and the funding for the biggest element of the work, but there are lots of smaller parts of the overall scheme that we still do not have sponsors for. This includes:

Air-conditioning - £4,800
False Ceiling with Lighting - £4,200
Flooring for 2nd half of room to match 1st half - £4,000
Bookcases (to be installed in window alcoves to replace those formerly against wall removed) - £1,000
Replacement Windows - 6 @ £800 each - £4,800
New tables - 20 @ £80 each - £1,600
Chairs - 100 @ £20 each - £2,000

There is going to be, PG, a board with the names of the main sponsors (or the persons they wish to have named) displayed in the Shul. Anyone wishing to support this wonderful mitzva of beautifying a Shul is welcome to join in and get in contact with either Chaim Greenberg or myself. Thanks - Dovid.

New Doorway

The new door at the back of the room into the Ladies Shul has been opened up.

More propping

The props are put in place from both sides of the wall.

Some Serious Props

Close-up of the prop in action!



Some serious props are put in place to support the upper floor loads whilst the steel beam is put in place. Once the steel is in place to support the loads, the wall may be removed.

Rest of the Steel Supports

The rest of the steel supports are delivered and await installation.

The Propping Begins

The old beams holding the upper floors are propped.

The First of the RSJ's is delivered.

The first and largest of the steel beams (RSJ's) has been delivered and moved in position ready to install - all 3/4 ton of it!

The Hole for the Shin Daleds!

If you noticed on the previous picture, the hole in the wall the reason behind it is the directive of Rabbi Yehuda HaChossid. The Rebbe in Igros Chelek Yud Gimmel describes how a doorway, chimney or window should be closed in accordance with the directive. Apparently it is to let the Shin Daleds escape!

Doorway closed

The old entrance to the ladies shul was closed up with a new doorway being opened further towards the rear of the room. The doorway was bricked up at this position in Engineering Brick to provide support for the steel beam which is to be put in place to support the upper floors when the dividing wall is demolished.

Preparations for the Propping

Holes are cut into the wall at high and low level and temporary brickwork is put in place to support the cantilever style propping needed to hold up the tremendous weights.

Preparations for the work

The Aron is moved aside to get access to the beam and the Seforim are covered to keep out the dust.

The Shul before...

First Posting

Hi all - I decided to create a blog for those home and abroad can see what is happening with the refurbishment of The Minyan, our shul in Beis Menachem, Manchester, UK.

The work we are doing is the removal of the dividing wall between the two rooms we use as the Shul to create a large space for the expanding shul and to enable people at the back of the Shul, especially the ladies Shul to hear the Davening and Leyning.

In addition to the removal of the wall, we are planning PG to install a false ceiling with improved lighting and airconditioning. We are also planning to replace the old windows which will give the added benefit of there no longer being a need for curtains on the inside and grills on the outside.

The floors need to be made up to match throughtout the new room and finally, we need more tables and chairs. The next post PG will have some photos of the before shots and the ongoing work.

Anyone who wishes to help out in the funding of this project - please let us know.