FAMILY PROMISE OF THE MAIN LINE

Family Promise of the Main Line, formerly called Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHN-ML) served its very first family in May 1992 when staff and parishioners at Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr, PA, welcomed Lonnie and daughters, Karma and Jasmine, to their campus for shelter and support.  Soon, Lori and children, Jessica and Scottie, were the second family to be welcomed by IHN volunteers at OMGC.  Today, Karma, Jasmine, Jessica and Scottie are “thirty-somethings,” likely with their own families.  From those initial guests and volunteers, Family Promise of the Main Line marked its 30^th anniversary in 2022.

Our own Ginny Kendall was there at the very beginning.  She writes “Our late Rabbi, Henry Cohen, knew of a group in Chicago who was housing/helping newly homeless people get back into the system.  He called a few of us do-gooders (Marcia Schultz was part of the group) together and he called Chicago to find out the details of the organization.  It sounded quite interesting and perhaps doable for those of us assembled.  So, Henry proposed the idea to the Board of Trustees.  Of course, as those things go, it took many months of planning and arranging before Beth David agreed to join.  And then, it took many more months for some of the churches in the area to go through the same process.  We then became part an Interfaith Hospitality Network.”

Contact Marc Leader for questions or more information about Family Promise at Beth David.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Emeritus Henry Cohen, zt”l in 1991 Beth David was one of the organizing congregations of the then known as Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line. Beth David remains the only synagogue, to participate in this work. The program is made of congregations that provide the following in their respective houses of worship: shelter, meals, and guidance to families who find themselves temporarily homeless. Family Promise guest families live at Beth David for one week, approximately every 12 weeks. During that time about 50 volunteers provide: food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, prepare and join our guests for dinner, sleep at Beth David with the guests, assist children with homework, and create a safe and comfortable place for families going through a difficult time. Volunteers are always welcome.