bikur cholim is air conditioned

Sarah Rachel commenting to mentalblog.com: United States of Lubavitch in New Haven, CT: It's three years since the last post and I need to tell everyone that Bikur Cholim is air conditioned -- and has been for several years. And while we have the mechitza on the main floor of the sanctuary, the women's balcony affords a nice option for sitting above the fray. Its a good place to nurse an infant or instruct a child. During the High Holiday evening services the view of the lighted Bima is so beautiful it really does enhance kavanah. Though BCSA is small, it has one foot in the old world and one in the new, making for a solid stance in a rocky world. Now all we need is a day school...

Schneur Zalman of NY commenting:

"I find this post "unbelievable"! The blogger praises the balcony, the bima etc in this sanctuary and the other commentator claims this shul reminds him of the sins of his youth in Miami(??) (Perhaps he attended church as a youth) all the while failing to mention that this edifice was built as and used for years as Episcopalian Church! I have never walked inside but the outside of the building remains almost exactly the same as before. Perhaps one ought to check what Reb Moshe Feinstein wrote in Igros Moshe about davening in such a sanctuary.

The Satmarer Rebbe once told Rabbi Meir Amsel who asked him if he could daven in a shul that was a church that "its fine if you wish to stand next to JC" My point is not to prohibit this shul - reality is reality - but to wax nostalgic about the building and its aura is nonsensical.

Any serious comment on New Haven ought to mention the "strange death" of the Young Israel and where the proceeds of its sale are located. Also any serious comment on BCHSA should mention the death several weeks ago of its Baal Kore of over 50 years Mr. Norman Rubin A"H."