Kesher Israel awarded national grant
Last month, the synagogue received a $20,000 grant from the OU to implement a program, known as the Harrisburg Time Share, to bring in prospective new Orthodox families to Pennsylvania’s capital. In applying for the grant, KI spelled out a comprehensive plan to introduce such families to the residents of Harrisburg, its religious infrastructure--including the JCC and Yeshiva Academy, a Torah Umesorah-affiliated Jewish day school--kosher amenities, and area attractions through a recreational incentive program. Prospective new families will be able to enjoy home hospitality for Shabbat, learning opportunities, child care during services and Shabbat afternoon activities, and a tour of the synagogue, school, mikvah and other community institutions. They will also be able to choose from among a number of entertainment and educational “packages”--in which they receive two adult and two child tickets, free of charge, to a tourist attraction--including Hersheypark, the IMAX Theater and Science Center of the Whitaker, the State and National Civil War Museums, and Ski Roundtop. All that will be required of prospective families is to attend a Community Presentation introducing them to Jewish life in Harrisburg, in the Time Share mold. “We believe that attracting prospective families to experience Harrisburg’s exceptionally high quality of life and low cost of living will lead to an increase in families moving here,” says Eva Siegel, who conceived the Time Share idea and served on the grant committee. “In turn, an increased community will enhance and strengthen our synagogue, Jewish day school, the Orthodox community, and the overall Jewish community of Harrisburg.” KI believes that there is “clearly a significant large pool of potential candidates” to move here, adds Norman Gras, synagogue president. “Many Orthodox families from New York and New Jersey take vacations in the area, visiting Hersheypark and Lancaster County. We meet them during minyanim at KI or during their own trips to the same attractions. We believe that with a little extra effort, we can provide a ‘total experience,’ an immersion that leaves a lasting impression.” Bryna Handler, who “transplanted” from Baltimore with her family about a year ago, has been named project supervisor. Dan Schulder is grant director. Harrisburg Time Share will be publicized through a new web site set up by Kesher Israel, www.jewishharrisburg.info, advertising in Jewish publications in other communities, and locally through a kickoff kiddush at the shul. “We are hoping families from other areas will want to find out more about what great things big-small town Jewish life has to offer,” said Siegel. The Grants Program of the OU, part of the Department of Community and Synagogue Services, bestowed funding to six congregations around the country out of a total of 61 who applied. The grant committee consisted of Rabbi Dr. Chaim Schertz, Mandy Cheskis, Marcy Flicker, Dan Goldstein and Louise Powers, as well as Siegel and Gras. A general recruitment committee at Kesher Israel has been spearheaded by Dr. Bryan Reid. Jill Brodsky is in charge of the hospitality subcommittee, and Yosef Chiger of the job search committee. For information, call 238-0668 or visit the new website, www.jewishharrisburg.info. |
Using
the time-honored concept of Time Shares and its enthusiasm for the
Jewish community of Harrisburg, Congregation Kesher Israel submitted
an award-winning proposal for funding to the Orthodox Union
Synagogue Grants Program.
