This Chanukah, Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton Beach has a lot to celebrate.

Following a protracted legal battle that garnered national media attention, the South Florida synagogue and community center emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after coming to an agreement with its bank regarding a settlement on an overdue loan. The abrupt change came alongside an unprecedented showing of support by members of the local community.

A synagogue declaring bankruptcy is an unusual move, one that Rabbi Sholom Ciment said he felt forced to do after the seizure of the building and its contents became a real possibility.

RELATED

“None of this would have happened if the economy hadn’t come crashing down,” said a grimacing Ciment. “The bank had promised us a nonprofit bond to finance the loan. Unfortunately, with the financial meltdown, the bond market dried up and the deal went sour for both of us.”

According to the terms of the settlement, the synagogue paid almost a third of the loan in cash, and the bank restructured the rest. As part of the deal, claims on the Torah scrolls and all religious articles were released by the bank.

In a tremendous show of support, the community contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single night.

“These are not wealthy people,” said Ciment. “They’re middle income families. But they came together as a community, like a family protecting their home.”

One woman donated a five dollar bill, he said, along with a tearful note explaining it was all she had.

“That type of energy is incredibly uplifting,” said the rabbi.