f. ZON-24-0055 (COA-24-0022) 120-132 N COUNTY RD—PALM BEACH SYNAGOGUE (COMBO) The applicant, Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue INC (Rabbi Moshe Scheiner), has filed an application requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for review and approval of: demolition exceeding 50%, construction of new one- and two-story additions, renovations to the existing twostory building, and landscape & hardscape modifications including a new surface parking lot, requiring three (3) Special Exceptions with Site Plan Review, and nine (9) variances to reduce the minimum required front yard setback and the pedestrian walkway, reduce the minimum required overall landscape open space and front yard open space, increase the maximum permitted building length, reduce the on-site parking requirement, elimination of the on-site berths (loading spaces), increase the maximum permitted gross building area, reduce the minimum required side yard setback, and reduce in the minimum required rear yard setback for the landmarked property. This is a combination project that shall also be reviewed by Town Council as it pertains to zoning relief/approval. [Landmarks Preservation Commission Recommendation: Implementation of the proposed variances will not cause negative architectural impacts on the subject property. Carried 7-0.] [The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the project. Carried 7-0.]
 
TIME CERTAIN 10:30 AM
I am a resident at 44 Cocoanut Row and wholeheartedly support the project that the synagogue is planning. The additional space planned is necessary to accommodate the existing worshipers who are now forced to sit on folding chairs or stand. Enlarging the
other facilities are necessary simply to accommodate the existing membership
following worship on the Sabbath.
There should be no impact on traffic as the number of worshipers is not changing. Saturdays, Sundays and evenings, when the majority of the synagogue’s activities take place have no impact on traffic.
The synagogue provides the community with a place of worship and learning and only impacts the community in a positive way. As such, I believe that the Town Council should approve the Synagogue’s plan as it will be an asset to our community.
Respectfully.
Dr. Manfred Endzweig
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Dear Council President Lindsay, Mayor Moore, and Council Members Araskog, Cooney, Crampton, and Moran, Town Attorney O’Connor, and Mr. Bergman and his staff members.
Subject: The Town Council Should Deny the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue’s Application ZON-24-0055 (COA-24-0022) 120-132 N COUNTY RD—PALM BEACH SYNAGOGUE (COMBO), currently proposed, and before you. The reasons are set forth below.
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My partner Cindy and I have read the PBOS’s application [“Application”], a document of nearly two hundred pages of "Plans" and amendments. We have also read the detailed reports that Wayne Bergman and his PZ&B Town Staff have published. We have read all communications that Counselor John R. Eubanks, Certified Urban Planner Cecilia Ward, AICP, and Professional Engineer James E. Spinks III, PS, PTOE, have submitted to the Town Council. We have also read communications that Counselor Eubanks prepared for The Consortium unit owners [of which we are one]. We believe these provide more than adequate Competent, Substantial Evidence that the Application - as currently constituted - does not satisfy the long-established mandatory requirements for granting Variances and Special Exceptions it seeks. Furthermore, as we have observed with other developers, the Application fails to comply with the well-established provisions and requirements of the Town of Palm Beach’s Comprehensive Plan.
In addition to the voluminous materials already in the Town's public record, the following information may help you reach the same conclusion: that the Application fails to satisfy the prerequisite requirements for its approval at your January 15, 2025, meeting or thereafter unless it is materially altered and scaled back.
Some Background:
1. At the Town Council’s November 13, 2025, hearing, Counselor Oyer repeatedly stated that he represents The Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue. At that meeting and in his subsequent December 5, 2024, Letter of Intent, Counselor Oyer has stated that many of the Synagogue’s congregants walk to the synagogue for services held on the Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) and High Holy Days, in accordance with "Jewish law and," which, as he explains, "Orthodox Jews generally do not drive during the Sabbath.” The implication was that congregants, therefore, would not be adding to the existing roadway and intersection failures we experience, nor would they add to parking challenges. This statement is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect reality. From what I have been told, from those that know more about Jewish Law than me, Conservative and Reformed Jews are not bound by these Orthodox laws. The Synagogue’s leadership who attended that meeting did not dispute Counselor Oyer’s misstatements during the meeting, leaving Council members with the misunderstanding that the growing membership would not be contributing to roadway or intersection traffic failures or inordinate parking demands on these days, the busiest days in the Jewish calendar besides their many holidays. A modified version of this same contention was expressed at the December 19th Sun & Surf meeting between Synagogue leaders and the Consortium attendees. Their original assertion about congregants walking and not driving to the Synagogue remains unaltered in their Letter of Intent filed on Dec. 5, 2024.
2. My partner Cindy and I, along with some other Sun & Surf unit owners, attended the Synagogue’s Thursday morning, January 11th gathering intended to describe in greater detail how the Application before the Town would result in the significant “Beautification of the Synagogue.” During this meeting, I pointed out that the Synagogue uses two different names to describe itself: The Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue [PBOS] and a D/B/A: The Palm Beach Synagogue [PBS]. I have been told that the D/B/A was created to eliminate the word Orthodox because the vast majority of the Synagogue’s congregants are not Orthodox, and the new name would facilitate attracting a larger and more diverse group of potential members to the Synagogue.
3. At this same meeting, I asked the following questions and received the corresponding answers:
a. What is the Synagogue’s membership today? ~750
b. What was it 5 years ago? ~450
c. What was it 10 years ago? ~125 [my recollection]
d. What do you anticipate the membership will be in 5 years? Rabbi Scheiner answered, “I expect to have retired by then,” but the question went unanswered.
Rabbi Scheiner is a charismatic leader. He is a witty, articulate, engaging, intelligent and ambitious leader - precisely what one would expect of a CEO - as the Synagogue has reported his title in its July 17, 2024, Florida Not for Profit - Amended Annual Report. A copy of this regulatory filing is attached. I do not see such an ambitious and competent leader ever retiring, and several of my Consortium colleagues - who are also PBOS congregants - agree. In his November 5, 2024, Shiny Sheet interview [in the public record], Rabbi Scheiner stated: "...the addition would provide much-needed space as the congregation continues to grow." The community should not doubt that, based upon its growth during the last five years alone - almost a 70% increase - his congregation will continue to grow, possibly exponentially, under the Rabbi’s very capable leadership.
The PBOS also recently announced opening a “franchised” and wholly owned Synagogue in West Palm Beach [WPB]. The Synagogue has also published that members of the WPB entity may attend services and events at the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue. So, if the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue is beautified, does anyone seriously believe that the WPB members will be satisfied staying on their side of the Intercoastal? It’s unlikely.
I have met Rabbi Scheiner on two separate occasions recently and can understand why his congregation has grown. I encourage him and the Synagogue’s leadership to materially scale back their expansion plans, bringing them into compliance with the Zoning Codes and Palm Beach’s Comprehensive Plan and to make their expansion more acceptable to our community.
Respectfully, I request that the Application, as before you today, be denied.
Tony Stepanski
Sun & Surf
130 Sunrise Avenue
Palm Beach
I am a resident at 44 Cocoanut Row and wholeheartedly support the project that the synagogue is planning. The additional space planned is necessary to accommodate the existing worshipers who are now forced to sit on folding chairs or stand. Enlarging the
other facilities are necessary simply to accommodate the existing membership
following worship on the Sabbath.
There should be no impact on traffic as the number of worshipers is not changing. Saturdays, Sundays and evenings, when the majority of the synagogue’s activities take place have no impact on traffic.
The synagogue provides the community with a place of worship and learning and only impacts the community in a positive way. As such, I believe that the Town Council should approve the Synagogue’s plan as it will be an asset to our community.
Respectfully.
Dr. Manfred Endzweig
January 14, 2025
====================================================================
Dear Council President Lindsay, Mayor Moore, and Council Members Araskog, Cooney, Crampton, and Moran, Town Attorney O’Connor, and Mr. Bergman and his staff members.
Subject: The Town Council Should Deny the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue’s Application ZON-24-0055 (COA-24-0022) 120-132 N COUNTY RD—PALM BEACH SYNAGOGUE (COMBO), currently proposed, and before you. The reasons are set forth below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My partner Cindy and I have read the PBOS’s application [“Application”], a document of nearly two hundred pages of "Plans" and amendments. We have also read the detailed reports that Wayne Bergman and his PZ&B Town Staff have published. We have read all communications that Counselor John R. Eubanks, Certified Urban Planner Cecilia Ward, AICP, and Professional Engineer James E. Spinks III, PS, PTOE, have submitted to the Town Council. We have also read communications that Counselor Eubanks prepared for The Consortium unit owners [of which we are one]. We believe these provide more than adequate Competent, Substantial Evidence that the Application - as currently constituted - does not satisfy the long-established mandatory requirements for granting Variances and Special Exceptions it seeks. Furthermore, as we have observed with other developers, the Application fails to comply with the well-established provisions and requirements of the Town of Palm Beach’s Comprehensive Plan.
In addition to the voluminous materials already in the Town's public record, the following information may help you reach the same conclusion: that the Application fails to satisfy the prerequisite requirements for its approval at your January 15, 2025, meeting or thereafter unless it is materially altered and scaled back.
Some Background:
1. At the Town Council’s November 13, 2025, hearing, Counselor Oyer repeatedly stated that he represents The Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue. At that meeting and in his subsequent December 5, 2024, Letter of Intent, Counselor Oyer has stated that many of the Synagogue’s congregants walk to the synagogue for services held on the Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) and High Holy Days, in accordance with "Jewish law and," which, as he explains, "Orthodox Jews generally do not drive during the Sabbath.” The implication was that congregants, therefore, would not be adding to the existing roadway and intersection failures we experience, nor would they add to parking challenges. This statement is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect reality. From what I have been told, from those that know more about Jewish Law than me, Conservative and Reformed Jews are not bound by these Orthodox laws. The Synagogue’s leadership who attended that meeting did not dispute Counselor Oyer’s misstatements during the meeting, leaving Council members with the misunderstanding that the growing membership would not be contributing to roadway or intersection traffic failures or inordinate parking demands on these days, the busiest days in the Jewish calendar besides their many holidays. A modified version of this same contention was expressed at the December 19th Sun & Surf meeting between Synagogue leaders and the Consortium attendees. Their original assertion about congregants walking and not driving to the Synagogue remains unaltered in their Letter of Intent filed on Dec. 5, 2024.
2. My partner Cindy and I, along with some other Sun & Surf unit owners, attended the Synagogue’s Thursday morning, January 11th gathering intended to describe in greater detail how the Application before the Town would result in the significant “Beautification of the Synagogue.” During this meeting, I pointed out that the Synagogue uses two different names to describe itself: The Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue [PBOS] and a D/B/A: The Palm Beach Synagogue [PBS]. I have been told that the D/B/A was created to eliminate the word Orthodox because the vast majority of the Synagogue’s congregants are not Orthodox, and the new name would facilitate attracting a larger and more diverse group of potential members to the Synagogue.
3. At this same meeting, I asked the following questions and received the corresponding answers:
a. What is the Synagogue’s membership today? ~750
b. What was it 5 years ago? ~450
c. What was it 10 years ago? ~125 [my recollection]
d. What do you anticipate the membership will be in 5 years? Rabbi Scheiner answered, “I expect to have retired by then,” but the question went unanswered.
Rabbi Scheiner is a charismatic leader. He is a witty, articulate, engaging, intelligent and ambitious leader - precisely what one would expect of a CEO - as the Synagogue has reported his title in its July 17, 2024, Florida Not for Profit - Amended Annual Report. A copy of this regulatory filing is attached. I do not see such an ambitious and competent leader ever retiring, and several of my Consortium colleagues - who are also PBOS congregants - agree. In his November 5, 2024, Shiny Sheet interview [in the public record], Rabbi Scheiner stated: "...the addition would provide much-needed space as the congregation continues to grow." The community should not doubt that, based upon its growth during the last five years alone - almost a 70% increase - his congregation will continue to grow, possibly exponentially, under the Rabbi’s very capable leadership.
The PBOS also recently announced opening a “franchised” and wholly owned Synagogue in West Palm Beach [WPB]. The Synagogue has also published that members of the WPB entity may attend services and events at the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue. So, if the Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue is beautified, does anyone seriously believe that the WPB members will be satisfied staying on their side of the Intercoastal? It’s unlikely.
I have met Rabbi Scheiner on two separate occasions recently and can understand why his congregation has grown. I encourage him and the Synagogue’s leadership to materially scale back their expansion plans, bringing them into compliance with the Zoning Codes and Palm Beach’s Comprehensive Plan and to make their expansion more acceptable to our community.
Respectfully, I request that the Application, as before you today, be denied.
Tony Stepanski
Sun & Surf
130 Sunrise Avenue
Palm Beach