Recent TSE Emails

Dear Congregant,

My family joined Temple Shaari Emeth about eight years ago when our children began attending the religious school.  I grew up in Marlboro, currently live in Manalapan and have probably driven by Shaari Emeth thousands of times over the past few decades.  After we joined, I finally had the chance to stop in the parking lot and then to walk inside.  At first I believed our primary reason for joining the temple was for our children and their religious education.  I didn’t think about anything more than that.

Then we were on the email list.  As new members you have probably gotten used to the various updates about the weekly events, special occasions, etc.  It may seem like a lot of emails.  One of those emails caught my attention.  It was an email about volunteers needed for a homeless shelter - at the synagogue.  I was a little surprised to see it.  I didn’t realize that our temple was providing shelter for the homeless.  I wanted to volunteer but wondered if it was a big commitment.  The email indicated they were looking for people to sleep overnight on a Saturday at the temple.  It sounded like I might need some training or special skills and although I wanted to volunteer I was hesitant.

I hate to admit that took me a few years but finally, I responded.  I volunteered to stay overnight.  You know what, it was easy!  It was also eye opening and, it was also very rewarding.  It’s the reason I’m writing to you today.  I wanted to let you know how the program works and wanted to invite you to get involved and volunteer.

Each Saturday from December through March Temple Shaari Emeth hosts up to 12 homeless men.  The program is organized by the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program and during the other nights of the week other participating churches house the same men.  They arrive late Saturday and are given dinner.  Then they sleep overnight and are given breakfast in the morning.

We need volunteers to provide dinners, provide breakfast and to stay overnight.  You can volunteer for one or all of those tasks.  I would be happy to meet or discuss the program on the phone if you’re interested in volunteering.   You can find more information or sign here.

There are also many other great volunteer opportunities at Shaari Emeth and you can see all of them on our website :

Please consider volunteering.  You won’t regret it!  
Michael Holzer
Cell: 732-690-6217

Additional Shelter
Program Information

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.  You can read about the program in a previous article published in the Asbury Park Press .  

You can also view this  YouTube VIDEO  from when the youth group prepared dinner for the men.

Each Saturday evening from December through March volunteers are needed for the following: 

• One volunteer to provide and serve a hot meal for approximately 12 men 
• Two volunteers to stay overnight at the Temple (male or female; there will also be a security guard with the men)
• One volunteer to deliver food for breakfast on Sunday morning (this food can be delivered a few days in advance)

Please sign up here to volunteer .  If you have questions or would like more information about what is involved, please email Michael Holzer or call him at 732-690-6217.

For 13 years Temple Shaari Emeth has been housing homeless men on Saturday nights during the coldest months of the year. The men who stay with us have been screened and vetted before they are allowed into the program. They meet at St. Peter's Church in Freehold where they are interviewed, their bags are examined and they are tested for alcohol before they are allowed to participate in the program.

We realize some people are hesitant about volunteering to stay over with our guests but those who do have found the experience extremely rewarding and enriching. We often want to make a real difference in the lives of others and this is one way to do so. If you would like to come and see the program when it begins in December please contact Michael Holzer  so that he can make arrangements.

Last year an average of 84 volunteers per week worked to provide 1,216 bed-nights to the 34 souls that were in the program seven nights a week.  In addition to shelter, the program has dedicated volunteers who work to help everyone get jobs and permanent homes. Last spring, 7 men from the program had permanent housing, 9 had transitional housing (alternative shelters) and six got jobs.  This is a truly transformative program that makes a positive difference in the lives of those in need. 

Program Details
Overnight Volunteers:
Two volunteers are needed each week to stay over at the Temple with our guests. You'll pick up the men staying at St. Peter's in Freehold and then stay overnight in the Temple office (air mattress provided). In the morning you'll serve breakfast and then take the men back to Freehold. 

Dinner Volunteers:
Prepare a hot meal and bring it to the Temple on Saturday evening, around 6:30pm, to serve the men in the shelter program. Volunteers provide all food, drinks and paper goods for 14 guests and two volunteers. Volunteers serve the meal and children are welcome to help.

Breakfast Volunteers:
Breakfast can be dropped off at the Temple office a few days before Saturday and typically consists of muffins, cold cereal, yogurt, milk and fruit (bananas, apples, etc.) for 14.