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Bibi Among The Ruins: In tour of devastated Central Synagogue, prime minister vows to return for rededication of Reform house of worship.
ERIC J. GREENBERG
Staff Writer
Members of fire-ravaged Central Synagogue on Manhattan's East Side expressed heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his brief visit to show support for the congregation devastated by an Aug. 28 blaze.
The visit last Sunday marked Netanyahu's first official trip to a Reform synagogue since he took office two years ago. Reform movement leaders said it signified progress in their attempt to gain greater recognition in Israel.
Netanyahu, along with wife Sara, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and a dozen security guards, took a brief tour of the badly damaged 126-year-old historic structure on East 55th Street. (The congregation is praying at the Seventh Regimental Armory on Park Avenue for the High Holy Days.)
Netanyahu gave Rabbi Peter Rubinstein a 24-karat gold bronze-cased mezuzah, to be posted when the multimillion-dollar renovation to the Moorish synagogue is completed in about 18 months.
Netanyahu promised to come back to the temple for its rededication. If he can't make that date, he promised to pray with them at another time.
"He said if he...