News & Events

Open Road – Transport to/from Synagogue

by Ann Lippel

shuttle-1Congregation Shomrei Emunah is investigating the feasibility of cooperating with the Open Road project which provides free weekend transportation to eligible congregants who want to attend Saturday morning services. The project would be a three-way collaboration between the synagogue, the Essex County Division of Senior Services and Open Road’s Rabbi Evan Jaffe of Flemington N.J.

Open Road buses pick up eligible riders at their homes at a pre-determined time, transport them to collaborating Houses of Worship, and return them to home after services are over.  Eligibility to ride as defined by the Essex County Special Transportation is:  a) a senior adult over the age of 60 or; b) an individual over 18 who has a physical, mental or temporary disability. Individuals wishing to register for Essex County Special Transportation will have to complete a one-time registration process by phone before becoming eligible for transportation. [Call 973.618.1280 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday to register.]

For Shomrei to determine the feasibility of Open Road participation, we need to conduct a survey of the congregational members who might wish to participate and/or support the effort. After the survey data is compiled, Shomrei will know if we have sufficient interest and support to start a once a month Shabbat Open Road service to deliver participants to Shomrei around 10 AM and pick them up around 1 PM, allowing time for attendance at services and at the kiddish.

If we have sufficient numbers to engage in a start-up Open Road project at this time, we would consider an expanded schedule in future depending upon rider satisfaction, the number of riders and funding resources. Here are some of the information areas we need to survey:

  1. do we have a minimum number of willing riders from Shomrei
  2. are the willing riders eligible for the Essex County Special Transportation service
  3. if you are not an eligible rider, would you be willing to give Open Road a donation in order to maintain continuity for the Shomrei community
  4. how many potential riders need wheel chair accessibility

The survey data will be used to determine whether Shomrei joins this project.  Please complete the online survey

(This survey will be closed down on February 16, 2015, so if you are interested, please take action before that date.)

  • Ann Lippel

    Ann Lippel, member of Shomrei Emunah for over 30 years, served in the past as synagogue V.P. and Chair of the Board of Education. She is currently the Chair of the Montclair Senior Citizens Advisory Committee (SCAC), an off-shoot of the Town Council charged with education and advocacy for the Township’s over-aged 60 population. Ann is currently retired. For more than 27 years she worked in management positions at the University level, both at NJIT and UMDNJ in Newark, NJ.

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