Fearing Hell and Seeking Paradise in a Synagogue

“In monasteries, seminaries, retreats and synagogues, they fear hell and seek paradise.”

Omar Khayyam

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – I do believe I’ve now solved the mystery of why the quaint and historic police station of Cable Beach was demolished, with its rubbles carted away.

You would recall I wrote about it in November of last year when residents of the area were up in arms, as they were not informed of the demolition of the structure or what would replace it. 

Well now, since my initial column I’ve made several trips to the site and I started snooping in the area to see what I would stumble upon.

Some of the residents in the area had suspected there was some deal between a Rabbi and a developer to put a synagogue and condos on the spot. They were saying the synagogue was a ploy for the developer to build condos and make money. 

Certain members of the local Jewish community were bothered by the thought of their synagogue being on the main road of a touristic area. Now, it would appear that they have no choice as all systems are a go.

 I started snooping around during Hanukkah 2022 and I found the developer in question and point blank asked him about the case at hand. He vehemently denied being in a plot with the Rabbi to use crown land to build condos and put a synagogue on it for coverup. Sounds strange, but that was being said. 

The Jewish developer was elated about a project he currently has going on and assured me he had no interest in the slip of land that once housed that historic police station. He admitted to knowing the Rabbi, though. 

So once again I turned to the Jewish community for information. I tried to call the Rabbi himself, to no avail. When that failed, I spoke with another member of the Jewish community who informed me that two buildings will be constructed on that now vacant lot – a residence for the Rabbi and the synagogue itself. 

The Rabbi’s home will be built to face the Cable Beach strip and the synagogue closer to the beach. Gardens will be situated between the two buildings where the Jewish community and members of the public can sit and reflect on life’s journey. 

I’m sorry I didn’t get to speak to the Rabbi, though. It would be interesting to hear his take on the matter. Another time… 

There you have it! Mystery solved! Well, that’s how I see it anyway.

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