God--Or a Developer--Will Help

The First Roumanian-American Congregation synagogue on Rivington Street just west of Ludlow suffered a roof collapse over the weekend, from which firefighters narrowly escaped. Recent water damage already had the congregants at the synagogue, across the street from sex-toy shop Toys in Babeland and next-door to the cafe that in a previous incarnation was photographed on the cover of, and served as namesake for the Beastie Boys album, Paul's Boutique, meeting in nearby apartments. "I believe God will help," congregation leader Rabbi Shmuel Spiegel told the AP. Buildings department spokesperson Ilyse Fink says it's not landmarked, so if it's dangerous there's nothing to stop it being torn down. That is, unless someone comes in quickly, buys the building, shores it up, and turns it into condos. It happened a few years ago nearby on Houston Street. And late last year came word the old home of the Jewish Daily Forward was going condo.

• New York Newsday