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Helping Hand

Volunteers help the workers at Ground Zero.

AMY SARA CLARK
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

New York
n the days after the Sept. 11 ter-
ror attacks, David Ripps wanted
to volunteer. Aside from donat-
ing blood, however, it didn't
seem there was anything he could do.
"I'm not a grief counselor, not a physi-
cian, no EMS training," Ripps says.
"They needed people with construction
skills and I'm a computer programmer."
But when the chance came nearly two
months later, Ripps didn't hesitate.
His opportunity came through the
American Jewish World Service, which
asked synagogues for volunteers to
work at St. Paul's Chapel, located close
to where the World Trade Center site.
On a recent Thursday evening, Ripps
joined 10 other volunteers in an all-
night effort, providing support for the
workers clearing rubble at Ground Zero.
Volunteers came from two
Manhattan synagogues — the Society
for the Advancement of Judaism and
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun — as
well as from the AJWS staff.
Even after two months, the scene is
disturbing. White-gray ash still floats
in the air and stores around the
perimeter of the fenced-off area are
closed, their goods still covered with a
thick layer of dust from the disaster.
One relief worker said that when the
wind picks up, it feels like it's snowing.

I

Place Of Refuge

Some relief crews are still working 12-
hour shifts, seven days a week. For
them, St. Paul's Chapel serves as a
place to rest and regroup.
The chapel is open to Ground Zero
workers 24 hours a day. Modern build-
ings collapsed all around it during the
attacks, but the 235-year old church
sustained almost no damage. Even its
stained-glass windows remained intact.
"You've heard of 'the little engine that
could,' said Susan Weinman, one of
St. Paul's volunteer coordinators. "I like
to call this 'the little chapel that stood.' "
The chapel quickly became a supply

11/23

2001

30

tortia

vt

dates

gave them the opportunity to rake a
five-minute break and take their
minds off their work."
Coordinating domestic volunteers was
something new for the American Jewish
World Service. The 16-year-old develop-
ment and relief organization usually
focuses on disaster relief overseas.
Schrager said it felt good to volun-
teer so close to home.
"We do disaster relief all around the
world, so it was a little bit of a shock
to us to be doing a project in our own
community. But she said the project
fit in well with AJWS's mission.
"At our organization, we talk about

depot for rescue efforts, and evolved
into a full-service comfort station.
It's not easy to volunteer there; groups
have to sign up weeks in advance.
Besides offering a hot meal and sup-
plies ranging from flashlight batteries
to saline solution to razors, St. Paul's
has a rotating, 24-hour volunteer staff
of chiropractors, podiatrists and mas-
sage therapists available to
workers.
Above all, it offers workers a
kind of refuge in the storm.
The smell of acrid, burning
material still fills the air out-
side, jack hammers roar and
searchlights illuminate the area
24 hours a day, but the inside
of St. Paul's is calm, restful and
comforting.
The pastel pink walls and the
backs of the pews are covered
with homemade banners and
Volunteers David Ripps, Seth Moskowitz and Ron
cards from well-wishers across
Kirshman get ready to serve hot meals to Ground
the country. One boy included
Zero workers on an overnight shift.
his picture in a card, and a note
urging firefighters to "keep up the good tikkun olam [repairing the world] all
work." At night, the lights are dimmed
the time," Schrager said.
so workers can sleep on the narrow cots
Ripps also was inspired by that
or on the blanket-covered pews.
vision. "Tikun olam is always in the
Candles and, sometimes, live jazz
back of my mind," he said. "Certainly,
piano add an almost romantic air to
the disaster was an example of broken-
the space. Some workers come for
ness in the world, and it's our obliga-
Chapstick, others for warmth and
tion to try to repair some of it — to
conversation, and many to pray.
show that there are not only people
who are trying to tear the world apart
but that there are many more people
Worker Respite
who are trying to put it back together."
The volunteers do a variety of tasks:
Ruth Messinger, AJWS's president and
checking ID cards at the restricted
executive director, spearheaded the effort,
work area, providing cheer to the
which came after the group received calls
workers and going on food runs.
from several people looking to volunteer.
Volunteers bring cups of coffee,
The volunteers aren't the only ones
snacks and assorted supplies, such as
still drawn to the site.
lip balm and tissues, to the workers.
The chapel maintains an 8-foot high,
Cigars are the most popular item.
wrought-iron fence where passersby cry,
At about 4 a.m., volunteer Emily
reflect and write messages on cloth
Silverman brought coffee to some electri- banners. The fence holds an assortment
cal workers. "They were so happy," she
of American flags, bouquets of flowers
said. "They really appreciated having the
and memorial candles.
human contact. I felt like we were bring-
It also offers messages from visitors
in.- them exactly what they needed."
around the world, such as a T-shirt
`One guy told us he hadn't been
that says "Holland Loves New York"
home in four days," AJWS staffer
or a supportive banner from the
Amy Schrager said. "Our showing up
Czech Republic. LI

`

Remember
When

From the pages of the Jewish News for
this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.

1991

Leslie Bash, formerly of
Connecticut, was named managing
director of the Jimmy Prentis
Morris Building of the Jewish
Community Center in Oak Park.
Detroiter Esther LaMed endowed
scholarship funds for students who
plan to participate in Project
Discovery or the March for the Living.
John Kazanowski of Bingham
Farms was appointed a fellow by
the International Congress of
Implantology.

1981

The Hebrew University Scopus Award
was presented to Nancy Reagan.
Ivan S. Bloch of Birmingham
accepted the role of president of the
Prime Ministers Club of State of
Israel Bonds in Michigan.

1971

The International Synagogue's
Ferkauf Museum at JFK International
Airport in New York received a 13-
inch high ark from Thailand.
Detroiter Dr. Gilbert E.
Corrigan, Wayne County medical
examiner, resigned his post.

A West Berlin street was named for
Dr. Leo Baeck, former chief rabbi of
Berlin who died in London in 1956.
The Jewish Center basketball
team defeated the East Bethlehem
team at Detroit's Cobo Hall to tie
for first place.
The Jewish National Fund
Committee of Hadassah planted 10
trees in the name of Amy Vanderbilt.

Selma Lesser, formerly of St. Louis,
was appointed intake worker and
counselor at the Jewish Vocational
Service of Detroit.
Detroiter Morris Lieberman was
chosen to head the 1952 Detroit
Israel Histadrut campaign.
The Young Adult Department of the
Jewish Community Center announced
formation of ballroom dancing classes
at the Woodward center.

Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant