15. Beit Tikvah, House of Hope

Who does it:
B'nai Israel in Brideport, CT

What they do:
Build a house for a poor family in need of housing.

Time commitment:
Variable but would average 2 to 4 hours per week.

Who they do it for and why:
Members of the congregation raised money and volunteers to build a home for a deserving family in the community. The ultimate residents of the home contributed a significant amount in "sweat equity." Work crews overflowed with volunteers, including many who had never been to the inner city. Nursery school children and seniors made lunches for the workers, and members of the other Reform synagogue in the area joined in the work. More than 300 people participated in the construction. Other congregations have joined with Habitat for Humanity to build homes in their area.

We would need:
¨ One or more persons willing to assume leadership of the project and manage it..
¨ Someone to determine if sufficient resources (both people and money) exist for such an undertaking.
¨ If Temple Israel didn't undertake such a project alone, Habitat for Humanity should be contacted to determine their need for volunteers.
¨ A pool of volunteers willing to participate in the program as their interests and the program's needs coincide.

If you are interested in organizing or participating in such a program, contact:
Jeanne Jacobs (phone: 747-1309, email timvp@templeisraeltulsa