Having the faith to help when it's needed most

AMENIA — In the Jewish faith it’s important for people to do mitzvahs, or good deeds, throughout their lives. It’s one of the doctrines of the religion. In November, a group of men from Temple Beth David in Amenia traveled to New Orleans to help build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina, something that’s still being done more than five years after the deadly storm struck the state of Louisiana.

“It’s really fulfilling for me to do that, to do my small part to help out with such a tragedy,†said temple Treasurer Larry Ross.  “People are still hurting and away from their homes, and it’s been a long time since Katrina.â€

“It’s kind of a tie into the basic tenet of our religion, to do mitzvahs to help people,†congregant Mel Eiger explained. “I know it sounds corny, but I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction being able to help somebody who is poor and unfortunate.â€

Eiger was among a team of men from the synagogue, including Ross, temple President Jonathan Wechsler and Carl Chaiet, all of whom joined members of the Enunciation Mission Episcopalian Church in New Orleans, along with college students from around the country. Eiger is from Stanfordville, Ross from Amenia, Chaiet from Sharon and Wechsler from Rhinebeck; the men paid their own airfare and then $35 per day to stay at the mission. The first time they made their trip was in 2008, just in time to celebrate Eiger’s 70th birthday.

“We made it a birthday party and I asked my friends for money to take down there instead of gifts,†he said. “That year they didn’t even charge us for room and board.â€

The whole idea came about from Ross’ friend, who knew someone else with roots in New Orleans. He was aware of the mission and what it was doing to help hurricane victims.

“So we got involved with him and signed on,†Eiger said, adding that this year, in particular, was especially interesting. “We worked on a house where a man and his family lost their home, which was destroyed by Katrina. And, unfortunately, they suffered with a lot of medical problems, so the federal money went to pay their medical bills and they were in a jam.

“We teamed up with Rebuilding New Orleans this year to help,†he continued. “Sadly, the fellow died of complications of diabetes, but he was aware his house was being rebuilt for his family.â€

“I saw the devastation on TV and gave money toward it, but I’ve always felt that being hands on is just as important, or more important, than money,†Ross said. “I really wanted to do that and get physically involved, as well as give money. It’s kind of an adventure, too, because previously I had never been in New Orleans. But mostly I just felt so terrible for the poor people with their suffering just going on and on and on, away from their homes.â€

The Beth David team was in New Orleans for a week. In that time the volunteers did carpentry work and painting, despite their lack of “real skills,†according to Eiger, who later acknowledged some of his colleagues were able to find their way around a table-saw. Then, at night, they would go out and experience the thrills of the city, taking in jazz and eating the famous fare. The best part, however, was the knowledge their efforts would be rewarded by creating a home for a family in need.

“Try it, you’ll like it,†Eiger said, when asked if he would encourage others to participate in such endeavors.

“You get a really good intrinsic feeling from it, a real high that lasts a long time,†said Ross, adding the appreciation from those on the receiving end was just as meaningful. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting how grateful and open and gracious the people were. My plan is to keep on doing this as long as there’s a need.â€

To learn more about their trip or future such projects, call Temple Beth David at 845-373-8264 or go online to bethdavid.info.