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We therefore consider support for the conservation of open space, the creation of both passive and active recreation in Newark and among communities within its metropolitan area to be part of our mission. In keeping with that mission, Ahavas Sholom has taken on a number of community projects, including :
· Housing and co-founding the Jewish Museum of New Jersey · Sponsoring and co-hosting Newark Holocaust Remembrance Day · Sponsoring Holocaust education programs for Newark Public School students · Facilitating an essay workshop on Elie Wiesel’s Night, in collaboration with the Newark Literacy Campaign, Inc · Hosting literacy and tutoring programs · Sponsoring a youth summer basketball league in Branch Brook Park · Assisting Newark’s Liberian refugee community · Hosting interfaith “Freedom Seders” · Distributing clothing, food and toys to local hospitals, needy schools and other community –based organizations
The synagogue’s most ambitious initiative to date was the drive to build a community playground and recreation area that will serve both the needy students of the Newton Street School and the community at large.
This initiative is in collaboration with the State of New Jersey and the “Green Acres” program of the Department of Environment Protection.
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Copyright © Congregation Ahavas Sholom 145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 485 - 2609 Fax: (973) 485 - 2609 |
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“The synagogue’s most ambitious initiative to date was the drive to build a community playground and recreation area that is already serving both the needy students of the Newton Street School and the community at large.” For almost 5 years, we worked with the school administration and teachers, parent organization and students, as well as the other stakeholders, to bring this project to fruition.
This initiative, which was a collaboration with the State of New Jersey and the “Green Acres” program of the Department of Environmental Protection, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Seton Hall University, Newark Teachers Union, The Steve Strobert Foundation, Inc., The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Andy Cappon Community Action Project, Independence Community Bank Foundation, Conservation Resources, Inc., The Unitarian Universalist Congregation At Montclair and others, allowed our project to develop into a far-reaching, and ecumenical collaboration, and positioned us nicely to raise all the monies needed to make this dream a reality for the Newton Street School children and the surrounding community.
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It Was About NEWTON STREET SCHOOL PLAYGROUND |
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Projects & Activities / & Related Links |
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The Congregation’s commitment to tikkun olam achieved new heights.
Not content to rest on our laurels for having built a playground at the Newton Street School, president Eric Freedman has moved our second playground project--this one expanded to include anti-obesity education at the Sussex Street School--one step closer to fruition: in addition to our NJ Green Acres matching grant of $375,000 and the Healthcare Foundation grant of 75,000, Eric has now brought in the national non-profit Trust for Public Land as a partner pledged to help raise the remaining money and oversee construction.
The synagogue served as a training site and provided recycled computers donated by congregant Eliot Sash for the Institute for Social Justice’s program to train women to work as licensed environmental technicians for brown fields cleanup.
Joining an initiative of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, in June the synagogue housed a group of Chicagoans led by Pastor Corey Brooks, Sr., who are marching across the country to end urban violence. |
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Now It’s About SUSSEX STREET SCHOOL PLAYGROUND |
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We are extremely grateful to all who believed in, funded and championed this project, and with them we shared the dedication of the playground, and all the joy that came with it, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, October 6, 2008.
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