Congregation Beth Shalom - 100 W Derby Street
After years meeting in various locations all around New Jerusalem, the local Jewish community finally has a real synagogue upon taking ownership of the long-deserted Appley Mansion. The community paid back taxes, added a wing, tore out rotted paneling, and refurbished the interior to be a bright, inviting place. The congregation was much less successful in removing the ghost of Bartholomew Appley IV, who still roams the house, confused as to why all these people are still partying in his house and why he can't find his bedroom.
The ghost is most active after the Saturday 6 p.m. service, when he is wont to join the "party-goers" in his home. Occasionally loud crashes or a muffled bark of giddy laughter momentarily interrupts services. Temple-goers after the Saturday evening service sometimes return to the parking lot to find their car missing. Whoever is stealing the cars drives them only a few hundred yards from the lot before ditching them curbside.
At first the congregation suspected a bigot, malcontent, or the local Elks Lodge who did not want the Temple to find a permanent home; now the Rabbi is starting to have his doubts and is more than a little spooked. Most of the time the community chalks up these prankish annoyances to just that - an annoyance - and continues their community life.
Type
Temple / Church
Parent Location
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