Fire Damages Historic Organ
at Temple Emanu-El!

(Left) Temple Emanu-El suffered a devastating fire on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2000, when the four-manual 1956 Austin organ console was found ablaze in the sanctuary. As services were taking place at the time, the fire was discovered quickly enough so that no further damage was done. Dr. Mark Weisstuch, administrator, called Bob Wyatt at Allen Organ studios for assistance. It was decided to install a new Allen Renaissance™ R280 for use while repairs were being made. This would prevent interruption of services and would allow the Friday evening live radio broadcasts (WQXR FM 96.3, 5:30-6 PM) to continue.

                                                 The melted lucite music rack
                                                               rests on the organ bench, below.

(Right) The Allen Renaissance™ R280 console is moved into the choir loft and placed behind the fire-damaged Austin console.  Technical service manager, Mike Corio, (right, in photo) of Allen Organ Studios, Mineola, said "This is the largest organ available on short notice which would fit through the door of the choir loft." Bob Wyatt (second from right, in photo) added "At a value of less than $70,000, which includes all of the additional equipment required for this temporary installation, this organ is not meant in any way to compete with the large, historic Casavant-Austin-Gluck pipe organ currently undergoing a major renovation."

(Left) Morton J. Lemkau (left, in photo), president of Lemkau Moving and Storage Company, Westbury, talks with Bob Wyatt (center, in photo) after the delivery. Lemkau Movers have been moving Allen organs for over 14 years.

When Congregation Emanu-El began creating a new worship space, they selected an Allen Master Design Series MDS-51S for installation in Greenwald Hall.