Sunday, October 5 - 12
Help Bonim Build Sukkahs for Seniors and the Infirm

Bonim is once again offering to help build Sukkahs for seniors and those who are infirm in our community. We will be assembling the Sukkahs beginning on Sunday, October 5th through Sunday, October 12th so if you are available to lend a hand, we’d love to have you!

To volunteer, please email Genenek@ujannj.org and indicate which shift you'd like to volunteer for.

Photo Gallery
of completed projects by Bonim

• Daughters of Miriam Project
• J-ADD Kitchen Renovation Project 6 
• Mitzvah Day Fair Lawn Home Project 2
• Mitzvah Day J-ADD Fisher Home Project 1
• Rebuilding Together Project 5
• Sukkah Build 3

Bonim Builders was organized to address the pressing issue of affordable housing in our community. Through our mission, “Repairing the World One House At a Time”, Bonim implements building and rehabilitation projects both in the Jewish community as well as in the community at large.

Bonim projects include activities that encompasses all skill levels.  From a novice who has never picked up a hammer to an expert handyman, building opportunities offer something for  everyone.  Activities include tasks such as painting, light carpentry, floor installation, window installation, and landscaping.

Bonim frequently partners with other organizations and agencies on projects. These include:

Rebuilding Together of Bergen County

• Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities
• Bergen Habitat for Humanity
• Shelter Our Sisters, the Bergen County domestic violence shelter
• The Daughters of Miriam

Building projects are scheduled September through June. Volunteers are notified by email when a project is scheduled. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here and complete the registration form for future Bonim projects.

Volunteers for Bonim – the Hebrew word for builders – renovate and rehabilitate low income, senior, and handicapped homes in northern New Jersey. Funds are used to make purchases of needed materials. In the past months Bonim Builders have installed a handicapped ramp for a woman living in Teaneck who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, a fence for a widow with six young children living in Fair Lawn, and a new kitchen at a home in Bergenfield run by the Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities. Bonim Builders have also completed a landscaping project at the Daughters of Miriam. During the recent holidays, they put up sukkahs for people who were unable to do so themselves.

As part of its mission to help families lead more independent lives, Bonim has been performing various home modifications for seniors. Projects include installation of grab bars for the shower, installation of outdoor ramps and railings. We are looking to create a list of volunteers who are able to help install these devices. Projects can be done during the week or on the weekend. If you’re interested in being put on a list for this program contact Genene.

Building Handicap Ramps
Bonim was fortunate to receive a grant from the Post Family Foundation and to provide several deserving families with outdoor handicap ramps for their home. Bonim will be constructing these ramps throughout the year. This project is open to those 13 years and older and experience isn’t necessary.

Ongoing Bnai Mitzvah Project

Is your child celebrating a bar/bat mitzvah and you’d like to work on a meaningful project together? Well, Bonim might be the answer for you! We have many of our beneficiary agencies who are in need of repairs, landscaping, painting, and who don’t have the funds to perform these tasks. Bnai Mitzvah families can sponsor these projects and involve family and friends in the project.

UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey’s Synagogue Leadership Initiative recently received a check from Bank of America for $10,000 which will be used to support SLI’s Bonim projects.

Pictures from left, Ann Limberg, president, Bank of America, New Jersey, Genene Kaye, Bonim coordinator, Judy Beck, director of UJA NNJ’s Synagogue Leadership Initiative, and Dana Egert, vice-president, UJA NNJ.