The Alternative Press

Volunteers from Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains assisted Morris Habitat for Humanity in building a condominium unit in Summit on Sunday, January 22.  The synagogue’s second community outreach project with Habitat for Humanity was organized by its Social Action Committee.

 “We had such a positive experience working with Habitat for Humanity about a year ago, that we wanted to volunteer again,” said Pamela Brownstein, who coordinated the project for Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee. “Last time, we worked mostly outdoors on a single-family home built by Habitat in Plainfield.   This time around, it was winter, so we worked indoors; our jobs were different, but equally rewarding,” said Brownstein.  

The 10 Congregation Beth Israel volunteers were assigned a range of responsibilities, including: painting walls, ceilings and trim; installing floor tiles in a bathroom, laundry area and utility closet; hanging doors; installing closet shelves and door knobs; and caulking.

The unit is one of six being built at 39 Morris Avenue, Summit, in a building offering two- and three-bedroom condominiums. It is expected to be finished within a few months. Construction began in the fall of 2010.

Prospective homeowners are required to put 300 hours of "sweat equity" into construction of the units. Habitat gives the owners – low-income, working families – a 30-year mortgage at no interest and with minimum down payment. Habitat's mission is to provide safe, decent, affordable housing for such families.

Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee sponsors a wide range of activities throughout the year to help people in need in Scotch Plains and surrounding communities. Additional outreach efforts include activities such as: delivering food for home-bound elderly through Mobile Meals; running an annual coat drive for Jersey Cares; and making sandwiches once a month for Plainfield’s Second Street Youth Center. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, NJ.  For information, call (908) 889-1830.

Congregation Beth Israel volunteers, pictured standing on the porch of the six-condo building, are (from left): Michael Margolin; Bill Sherman; Jay Goldring; Sarah Siegel; Jodie Garfinkel; Lise Krieger; Pamela Brownstein; Dave Labush; Marc Tropper; and Michael Gershman.