In the past, we built the playground for Haven House, a Huntington shelter for homeless families. We were also active in Habitat for Humanity, contributing our time to help build affordable homes in the community.

Soon after 9/11 we reached out to the Muslim community in Suffolk County. We invited members of a small mosque in Centerreach to our shul. About 30 of us had a wonderful evening of getting to know each other and reinforcing our common humanity, accompanied by refreshments. This was followed up by an invitation to attend their mosque. There we explored the similarities and differences in our religions, followed by a delicious buffet lunch. We would like to organize a family picnic for both congregations in the future.

Last year one of our members organized a successful drive to collect and send personal hygiene items to Iraqi women and children.

Our main continuing activity has been in the area of affordable housing. Those of us fortunate to have stable housing may be unaware that right in our midst families are homeless, living doubled up or forced to return to an abusive situation because of no alternative after a short stay in a homeless shelter or motel. We have been members of the Huntington Coalition for Affordable Housing and the new Long Island Interreligious Coalition for Affordable Housing. Last year, after exploring a number of ideas, we recommended to the Congregation that we participate in an innovative revolving loan fund sponsored by Housing Help. Our board decided to make a donation of $4000 to the fund, which will enable non-profit housing providers to purchase and begin renovation on single homes in Huntington while waiting for the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to process their application. This takes several months and without the “bridge loan” the fund provides, they would lose the opportunity to purchase the house. The renovation often includes a second small apartment so that two households acquire affordable housing and the rental unit makes it possible for a lower income family to afford the mortgage. Several churches in the community have also participated but as of this writing, we are the first Jewish congregation in the community to do so.
This year we became part of the Huntington Interreligious Housing Coalition. One day each month during the winter we provide dinner, overnight chaperoning, breakfast and bag lunches to about 20 homeless workers in Huntington. We partner with Temple BethEl, which provides overnight sleeping arrangements for these men.
We have also sponsored a spectrum of Friday Night Forums, from the director of the Long Island Housing Partnership to spokespersons from major Jewish and Israeli peace organizations. I was invited to speak to the Sisterhood Luncheon at Bethel Temple in Huntington on the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Because decent affordable housing is a basic need, we will continue to work on this issues, but we are open to other issues that committee members bring. We welcome new members—any member of Kehillath Shalom can participate.

Ruth A. Brandwein, Ph.D., Chair
631-757-6096
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