TU BISHVAT FEATURE: The Klausenburger Yeshiva Building That Was Built Without Cutting a Single Fruit Tree

By Y.M. Lowy

In honor of Tu B’Shvat, we’re marking the day with some fruit tree focused features.

If you’ve passed the corner of 14th Avenue and 50th Street across from the Klausenburger beis medrash, you’ve probably noticed the uniquely built yeshiva building that went up there at record speed.

The lot sat for many years as a parking area right in the center of Boro Park. About fifteen years ago, the Klausenburger Kehilla purchased it with future needs in mind. The challenge was that several fruit trees stood on the grounds, which would normally make construction difficult.

As the yeshiva grew and ran out of room in its longtime space above the beis medrash, nearby rental options were tried but quickly became too tight. The Kehilla wanted to move ahead with plans for a building on the lot. Before anything moved forward, the details were presented to the Klausenberger Rebbe. Even though there were possible leniencies to remove the trees, the Rebbe ruled that the fruit trees should remain untouched.

From there, the project took a different path than typical city construction. Contractor and community askan Reb Moshe Yehuda Nusenzweig, together with the yeshiva hanhala, created a plan that works around the trees instead of clearing them. The layout was adjusted so the building could go up while leaving every tree in place.

A specialized tree-preservation company was brought in to protect them throughout the process. Branches and root areas were secured, and crews coordinated each stage of the build with constant oversight. Heavy equipment, cranes, and structural work all took place with extra safeguards.

The result came together in under three months, from after the Nine Days through mid-Tishrei, with bochurim entering the new building at the start of Cheshvan. The structure is large, modern, and built for the yeshiva’s needs - yet the fruit trees are still there, alive and growing, in the center of Boro Park. A rare sight in the city, and a powerful reminder that real growth doesn’t have to come by uprooting.

This article was featured in “Shrift” magazine, one of the four content-filled booklets included in the weekly Mega Dee Voch Package.

The former parking lot, with fruit trees that blossom during the summer months.

The former parking lot, with fruit trees that blossom during the summer months.

The trees being preserved throughout the construction.

The trees being preserved throughout the construction.

The trees being preserved throughout the construction.

The trees being preserved throughout the construction.

The Rebbe visiting the yeshiva, with the indentations in the walls that were built to create space for the trees to remain alive and growing.

The gorgeous heichel of the yeshiva, with indentations in the walls built to create space for the trees to remain alive and growing.