Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1493026
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 FEBRUARY 2023 NEWS True. Athletic. Grit. ELITE, on MaltaToday Facebook, Mondays 5pm Orthodox Jews get synagogue in former Sliema post office JAM ES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has approved Malta's first ful- ly-fledged Jewish place of wor- ship, which will include a ko- sher restaurant on the site of the former post office in Ma- nuel Dimech Street, Sliema. The PA has imposed a con- dition obliging the religious community to sign a deed that will ensure the entire premis- es, except for the restaurant, shall "be exclusively used by of the Orthodox Jewish Com- munity" and cannot be sold third parties without a new PA permit. This condition was imposed for a waiver on a €74,000 parking obligation. The synagogue creates a de- mand for 12 parking spaces, and its restaurant another sev- en, and can host 41 seats for worship. The parking demand is 12 additional spaces over and above the former post of- fice's requirements. In such cases developers must either provide the re- quired spaces or pay between €2,500 and €9,000 for each space not provided for, which resulted in a €74,000 obliga- tion for the Jewish communi- ty, since the project does not include a car-park. Their architect argued for an exemption since the Jewish religion forbids the communi- ty from using any mechanical instrument on the Sabbath, which means worshippers make no use of buses, cars or other mechanical means on that day to reach the prem- ises. Since the synagogue is only used on the Sabbath, no parking will be needed. The proponents, the Chabda Malta Foundation, also said most of its members are Sliema resi- dents and that Jewish tourists tend to stay in the same area. The PA's transport consult- ant said the request was valid. With the synagogue now set back from the front by 2m, the former post office will see two additional storeys on top of the urban conservation ar- ea buildling, as well as the restoration of the façade. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage issued clearance for these works. While the local plan allows restaurants in thie part of Sliema but makes no men- tion of places of worship, the PA case officer said regen- eration initiatives are meant to accommodate social and community facilities such as religious centres, local clubs and post offices. The addition- al two floors also conform to "the predominant height in the surrounding area". Chabad Malta's Rabbi Chaim says its synagogue is the first Jewish centre on the island "after more than 2,000 years of Jewish presence in the history of Malta". Two inconspicuous synagogues are active in Mal- ta, located in ordinary residen- tial buildings in St Julian's and another in Ta' Xbiex. Malta's Jewish community numbers just 250 members although numbers could be greater especially among mi- grant communities and tour- ists and businessmen who visit the increasingly cosmopolitan island. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Jewish community gets €74,000 parking waiver for restricting building use for worship while keeping restaurant open to public Malta's Jewish community numbers just 250 members although numbers could be greater especially among migrant communitie