Rabbi Bachman responds eloquently to Pastor Meeter’s post and proposes a Community Clean-Up Crew. Here’s an excerpt from his blog, Notes.
"Old First is in the middle of Seventh Avenue–not an easy place for a House of Worship. It’s across the street from Key Food and next door to La Bagel Delight. Nearby are boutiques, jewelry stores, video/dvd shops, hair salons, and restaurants. Opposite its stoop are two of the most successful real estate agencies in Park Slope, where real estate prices increased 11% in the last year alone. That there are homeless people eating and sleeping and relieving themselves in the shadows of such economic growth and expression seems to be calling us to some kind of action, no?
So in the spirit of Nachum of Chernobyl, I propose a Community Clean-Up Crew. Different neighbors volunteer to take a day of the week and help Old First fulfill the mitzvah of hospitality. Do we need a public toilet? Do we need a warm meal program? Do we need a shelter? It seems to be the fair thing to offer. Those of us who don’t worship there walk past, drop a coin, smile, and move on–the systemic issue is on someone else’s stoop, so to speak.
But is that right? Seventh Avenue is a public stoop. And when you happen to be the House of God on Seventh Avenue, everyone is watching to make sure that the “right thing” is done, though everyone that’s watching may not be rolling up their sleeves to help.
So Rev. Meeter, consider yourself having a acquired a partner in this problem.
In the spirit of Abraham our Forefather, we are all sleeping on the stoop of Old First. We are all asking for money. We are all in need of a little human dignity.
Give us a day and we’ll help.
We will share your pain and share the blessing of what it is to serve."
thanks for your comments folks. feel free to be in touch. our members and members of pastor meeter’s church will soon be getting their heads together on possible ways forward. i like very much the physical fitness idea. abachman@cbebk.org
I have walked by these men numerous times over the years and have never heard loud music playing or heard them curse at anyone(at me or anyone in front of or behind me). I am sure this pastor is a good person if people think he is however I have heard of churches trapping and leaving pigeons to starve and killing stray neighborhood cats. I think there is a certain authoritarian ‘vibe’ that comes with the whole church thing, even if one tries to avoid it.
I like the rabbi’s suggestions. much more in line with a compassionate response…
An interesting proposal, this. Meals, shelter, public toilets will be for the three identified individuals, or anyone to whom it also appeals? Because it will attract others. And at Seventh Avenue, to “help Old First”, or at Garfield Temple? Physical fitness is important, so will the guests have use of the pool?