Montgomery resident Emily Gartenberg helped a family carry their many rummage sale purchases to their car, while Hillsborough's Corey Cochran hauled bicycles out of car trunks and readied them for delivery to a cause called Pedals For Progress on Sunday Oct. 19, 2008 at Belle Mead's Congregation Kehilat Shalom (CKS).
Both Gartenberg and Cochran are Hebrew School Students at CKS, a Reconstructionist Synagogue in Belle Mead.
Gartenberg, who had her bat mitzvah in March, and Cochran, who will be called to the Torah for his bar mitzvah on Nov. 22, put a great deal of thought into their community services projects that are encouraged as part of preparation for becoming a bar or bat mitzvah.
"I wanted to do something that would benefit the synagogue and along with Rabbi Susan [Falk], we came up with the rummage sale idea," said Emily, who organized the sale, including everything from publicizing to pricing items. She worked two full days accepting items right through to cleaning up and donating any merchandise that remained. The donation turnout was tremendous and with the current economy, passersby couldn't ignore the bargains, which included everything from toys to home décor. The sale netted $1,100, which Gartenberg hopes will be used to improve the attractiveness of the inside of the building.
CKS President Matt Rosenthal noted that it was interesting to watch the different types of shoppers - the hagglers versus those who were appreciative for a great bargain. "It was wonderful to see a family expecting twins, to get a baby rocker chair and the family that purchased the big playhouse. The examples are plentiful," he said.
While browsers eyed the rows of tables of treasures, Cochran wheeled bicycles out of minivans and car trunks. He had selected Pedals for Progress as his charity, an award-winning organization that provides affordable, non-polluting transportation to the working poor of the world. Cochran realized many families had bicycles they had outgrown that could be used in other parts of the world. He collected 45 bicycles and donations totaling $480. The bicycles will be distributed to Sierra Leone in Africa. Among those donating bicycles or time were Cochran's Hillsborough Soccer Club and Boy Scout Troop 1776, as well as many members of the synagogue. Gartenberg did her share and donated bikes that had been given for the rummage sale.
Pedals for Progress local representative Gary Michel stopped by the collection and explained that the bikes are shipped by removing the pedals and the bars to allow up to 200 in one truck. When 400 bicycles are collected, a container is shipped to a country. Upon arrival, the bikes are distributed by non-profit groups to ensure they get into the hands of needing citizens. "It felt really good to be able to help other people. I am already looking for other projects I can do to help others after my bar mitzvah next month," said Cochran.
His mother, Meryl Bisberg, added, "From a parent's perspective, I have to say that planning, organizing, and executing a project like this is a great exercise for a child in grassroots work and in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, or 'the repair of the world'." She said that teens today are watching many events unfold that could make them feel powerless. "A project like this is a great way for them to feel like they can make a difference, especially with the help of their synagogue, local community, friends, and family. I really hope Corey continues to do this kind of work as a teen and as an adult."
While people stopped by on a crisp fall morning, the congregation also sold bagels at its Bagel Café. Several other 7th graders have gotten the service project bug and sold homemade muffins for various causes. The feeling of vibrancy is in tune with the fresh direction of the congregation, which under the religious leadership of Falk is offering many new programs such as a greater variety of adult education classes, a revitalized Hebrew High School, and more active committees.