"Judah ben Tema used to say… age fifteen is for Talmud (for understanding how to put Jewish values into action in difficult situations)"
Pirkei Avot 5:21

In our experiences with building projects, one of the frustrating aspects has been that many of our building partners do not accept young teens as participants. As a result, we have created a new program, in partnership with Sara Losch, Director of Lifelong Learning of the Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, NJ. We call it in Hebrew Bonim Banim or for short Bet Bet – Building Youth. It is a way of including younger teens in this holy work.

What We Hope To Do…

We are planning to bring twenty students who will be entering grades nine and ten in September 2008, to the Portland, Maine area to help restore the home of a poor or elderly family. There will be several adults in the group, including teachers and building experts. We will live together in a large summer home and share in the responsibilities of meals and daily life.

This will be an experience in Jewish religious living. It will include, in addition to the work on the home, creative Jewish worship experiences and the study of traditional texts about tzedakah, charity and righteous living. We expect to explore the Portland area and to understand the impact of work like ours on the general community.

We are working with PROP (People's Regional Opportunities Program) to find the most appropriate home to restore. Volunteers are helping us from Bet Ha’am synagogue in South Portland, Maine and the Barnert Temple, in Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Bet Bet in detail…

When – Sunday afternoon, August 17th, 2008 to Saturday afternoon August 23rd, 2008.

Where – Portland, Maine

Who – Students entering grades nine and ten in September 2008, whose families are members of Reform Jewish congregations. NO previous building experience or tools are necessary.

How much - $1000, including everything except travel to Maine, personal expenses and gifts.