March 2010
18 posts
Back in the swing of things
A week later, now that I am back to school work, real food (meat), and hot showers, I am so glad I went on this trip. Almost everyone I’ve spoken to has had a reaction along the lines of, “I didn’t know they still needed help down there… that was so long ago….” Even if people don’t hear anything about these Spring Break trips other than that they exist, it...
Photos from our adventure →
Check out the link above to see all the photos we took of our progress at 2116 Mehle!
Upon returning.
So… I just wrote this somewhat poetic, very inspired-sounding post and nearly finished it before realizing it sounded nothing like me and I should really write in a much more open fashion. Let’s do this. If I can be entirely honest, on the night before leaving on this trip (I’m considering the start of my trip Friday, March 5, because that’s when I left UC) I had a huge...
2116 Mehle's Facebook Fanpage →
Our group spent the week rebuilding the house at 2116 Mehle Street so that it could become affordable senior housing in the future. Check out 2116 Mehle Street’s Facebook Fan Page where you can see photos from our build and track to progress of our house in the future.
WOW
The past week flew by! While I wish I could have another week to make up some sleep… I am really so happy I was able to go on ASB to New Orleans. I am really grateful for the opportunity to help rebuild the city (even if it was just one small step), learn about the current situation of NOLA, and tour the great city with incredible people! I feel so proud of and connected to our house, and I...
Home at last!
This is sydney posting from home in Haverford, PA. It is verrry depressing to be home, partly because the weather sucks and also because I miss New Orleans. On the flight home I was confronted with my first “How was New Orleans” question from the woman sitting next to me. Thank the lord we practiced what we were going to say because I definitely did not have enough time to pour out all...
Bye bye 2016
Today was our last day building. :( It’s crazy how attached we’ve become to this random house on Mehle street. They told us that each house in the program has a facebook page and we can’t wait to become fans! Sitting on the bus covered in spackle we are looking forward to relaxing this shabbat. Sarah Beth Feinberg
Hillel's ASB Group Blog →
Read other postings from our group members and students traveling with us from other campus Hillels
From drywall to mudding
Today our house really started to look like a home. With all the walls in place, we really felt a sense of accomplishment and could begin to see that our work might really make a difference for seniors affected by Katrina in St, Bernard Parrish. We took some time to play games and bond with our Americorps volunteers. Denise even goes to Temple! We can’t wait to see her in the fall. Looking...
Mordechai Quote Board
Isabel- ” Describe your day in three words” Mordechai- “Swimmingly…too soon?” Molly (in a side conversation)- he’s just so awkward and creepy!” Mordechai (comming into the convo)- who, me?! Sydney- “russisans are so slow because they take so many smoke breaks” Mordechai- “also americorps volunteers” Quotes of the day “Ya...
Dry walling in the rain!
Hello to our followers! Day 2 started off with the group at our Mehle House. While the lucky ones got to move onto dry-walling the walls, the stragglers were stuck with the trapazoidal trap (aka the hallway ceiling). After many failed attempts, Molly, Arkadiy, and Sydney finally hung their babies up to complete the ceiling job (which literally took all day). With help from a local church group,...
Day one in NOLA
Hi from New Orleans! Today was our first full day in New Orleans and, to celebrate, we woke up at the crack of dawn! We were enjoying breakfast at 6:30am, and by 7:15, all of us had boarded our buses to head to the sites we will be working at all week. We went by school or city, with about 15 people per site. Some groups are working on houses; others are planting trees. As we drove around, we...
O my Nola
It’s the first day here and we’re tired after our long flights and taxi rides! After arriving at our hotel, we settled into our home for the week. We then went to clean up after a Irish, Italian and Isleno parade in Saint Bernard’s Parrish. We were able to watch the end of the parade and see the vibrant culture in the area. We enjoyed a quick nap before dinner and time as a...
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Hillel of Greater Philadelphia Alternative Spring...
In just over 48 hours 18 students from 6 campuses across Hillel of Greater Philadelphia will be joining students from 7 other campuses around the country to engage in a week of service, learning and reflection as we work to rebuild New Orleans together. Check back her frequently to hear the stories of our participants as they grapple with the aftermath of Katrina, study Jewish perspectives on...