Matzav.com:
Mispallelim of the Airmont Shul in Airmont, NY, gathered yesterday for a special celebration of the hanochas even hapinah of the new bais medrash for the shul. The bais medrash is being constructed on the property of the rosh hakahal, R' Lipa Schmelczer, who founded the shul a year and a half ago for the growing frum neighborhood.
Airmont is a village in the town of Ramapo in Rockland County and includes the hamlets of Tallman, Airmont and South Monsey. In recent years, with rising housing prices in Monsey proper, a large number of Yidden have chosen to purchase homes in the Airmont/South Monsey area.
Yesterday's event began with the recital of Tehillim, followed by remarks by R' Michoel Schnitzler and Lipa, and then the groundbreaking ceremony.
The expansion of R' Lipa Schmelczer's shul, and now the construction of what will be a beautiful and spacious mikdash me'at at 16 Murray Drive, are part of the overall development of this nascent Yiddishe enclave.
"This is a shul that is open to all Yidden," R' Lipa has told Matzav.com, "and boruch Hashem, in addition to our regular mispallelim, we've been able to be mekarev many Yidden."
R' Lipa, who is well known for his musical talents, was born on March 17, 1978, and grew up in New Square. He has gained popularity for his lively and uplifting singing and creativity. To date, he has released 8 albums and has used his gift of music in a variety of ways.
Every Shabbos, R' Lipa delivers a drasha at the shul, and he regularly arranges for baalei mussar and darshanim to address the mispallelim.
"Boruch Hashem, since the founding of the shul, we've never missed a minyan on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Once the new shul is up, im yirtzeh Hashem, we won't miss a minyan during the week either," he said.
R' Lipa, in addition to his weekly drasha, regularly davens for the amud and encourages people to come to the shul, doing anything he can to further inspire the shul attendees.