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May 2008

Dear Friends,

Much of what I have written over the past few years has related to organizational matters – what BAJC is planning to do and or what it has already implemented. This time, I wish to kvell a bit about two programs in which BAJC has been involved.

As we know, the Brattleboro area is not immune to the economic and human woe that is becoming more widespread in our communities and in our country. More of our neighbors, friends, and the visitors among us are finding themselves in need of basic services. Various social services provide programs, grants, shelters, medical and social resources, but often they are overwhelmed.

Julie Strothman with President Paul Berch at the 2006 Greenleaf Dedication Open House

Brattleboro’s Shelter was in such a position this past winter. In response to that need, the interfaith community, including BAJC and its Social Action Committee and other volunteers, provided human, spiritual, and musical energy to create an Overflow Shelter. The results have been real and have been important. The Overflow Shelter was open for 74 nights between January 2 and March 31, with 679 bed nights provided. Almost $24,000 in motel costs was saved to the general community. People who needed shelter in this harsh winter were able to get shelter.

In a similar vein, our Social Action Committee has been very involved in assuring that residents of Morningside Shelter were able to get good food and, perhaps equally important, good companionship when such support is not normally available to them. BAJC volunteered to provide a home-cooked meal the third Friday evening of each month at the Shelter. So far, we have provided this service from November through March. If there is sufficient energy, BAJC can continue to provide this service past the winter, on into the summer months. It depends on volunteers – kids and teens are more than welcome. Money to buy the food is available. We provide folks who cook, who deliver the food, and who share the Shabbat dinner. Folks at the shelter do all the clean up. You can sign up for as few or many monthly dinners as you wish. Judy co-ordinates this program and would love to hear from anyone who wishes to participate at any level. With enough interest, we will be able to continue this effort into the future. Expecting only to do the mitzvah of assisting the homeless and the hungry, we accomplished much more. Conversations between those “left behind” in our society and those providing the monthly assistance led to shared stories and common ground. Those who gave received. Those who received gave. BAJC is grateful to those who have donated their time and energy, as well as their days and evenings, to carry out “tikkun olam,”—healing the world, locally, as best we can.

L'shalom,
Paul