Idan LavianEnglish 101 Sec. JBMr. Daniel GomesUB Number: 50087728Refurbishing the Old SynagogueWritten by: Idan Lavian, member of the Saranac Synagogue Date: June 29, 2014Contents:-Introduction-What is floor wax and what are its benefits/cost-Options of implementation -Procedure and schedule-ConclusionIntroductionAny institution, complex or not, has its projects that are constructed to both improve the organization itself and to publicize and promote its name. The organization must set strategies and priorities to accomplish this goal. Our small Synagogue was built over a hundred years ago .It now has many defects inits structure. The board of the Synagogue is currently taking action to improve and repair the building. As a member looking in, I sometimes feel the board is not focusing on the important problems. Especially those issues which present a risk to the health of the members. An important problem to eradicate is the ruined floor of the social hall and the kitchen. The floor is cracked; it cannot be fully cleaned, and can give diseases to whoever enters the building. This can be taken care of with minimal expense by waxing and/or polishing the floor more often. The initial cost comes to $1200, with a minimal cost to monthly reapply a wax coating. (Less than $100 a month) This cost is worthwhile because it would create a healthy environment that could preventpeople becoming sick. An additional benefit is the safe exposure Jewish students in University at Buffalo would experience in the Synagogue.With this plan, the workload of the board will become lighter. This will also encourage the board to tackle one project at a time, instead of becoming overwhelmed by the many problems in an aging building. This one project will beginthe process of making the Synagogue a healthier place, and will further empower theSynagogue to continue attracting young Jews.What is floor wax and what are its benefits/cost?Floor wax is used to polish and preserve floors; it covers all the holes of the floor. Before waxing the social hall and kitchen, every item must be removed from the floor to let the wax cover its entire surface. Keep the room at 21o C or 70o F to allow proper drying of wax. Begin buffing the wax on the floor with a buffer and try not to miss any corners. Two or three coats are necessary to have a stable wax layer. Let it dry for 24 hours, and then bring everything back.Waxing the floor has the lowest cost of all the polishing methods and provides good slip resistance. The benefit it gives to the Synagogue is the simplicity of keeping the floor clean from any filth. The disadvantage is that it scuffs and dulls the floor rapidly. I think that this would be much better than crystalizing the floor with the chemical, fluorosilicate because crystalizing can be slippery if over buffed and has limited effect on most floors. To add to that, waxing is also better than implementing a whole new tiled floor because the cost of a new floor is double the waxing. Even though a brand new floor is tempting, our existing floor is the hardest type of flooring, it can easily be maintained with a light surface of wax. Waxing the floor is also better than installing carpet, since carpet requires a high level of maintenance of cleaning and sensitivity to moisture and stains. It is also veryexpensive to install.Options of implementation There are multiple ways for the board of the Synagogue to apply the wax surface its floor. To help cover costs a choice can be made to rent out the facility more often. The price of the buffing machine is what makes waxing expensive. To reduce this cost for the board, the Synagogue can rent a buffing machine from a localhardware/maintenance store. In the long run it may be worthwhile to consider purchasing a machine, it would pay for itself, and save money over time.To help accomplish the actual waxing, there are two options, which would also help promote the Synagogue’s name. First, UB students may be brought to wax the floor for community service hours. Another option is to encourage other Jewish people affiliated with the University to come wax the floor in their spare time Both ideas would further expose the Synagogue to the University and may help attract more Jewish students to come for Saturday meals with a new and clean floorThe Rabbi of the Synagogue or a special speaker should help motivate the workers. This speech will also encourage the workers to become more involved .TheSynagogue should be presented as a special resource, a place for prayer and learning. Members of the Synagogue should also volunteer their time and energy. Especially since they are the most invested, and they gain the most.Transportation can be provided via a shuttle from the university, which would bring the students to the Synagogue. There could also be a member that would provide transportation to the students. Students might have their own vehicles and can carpool to get here.Procedure and schedule of implementation Bring students to the Synagogue with the University shuttle. Perhaps the students will pray with the Synagogue. Rabbi will speak to them about Jewish beliefsthat relate to helping community. Students start the waxing process with the supervisors by emptying all items in the basement, mopping the floor before applying the wax, then using the buffer machine to place the wax on the floor. Food will be served to the students. Finally, the university shuttle will bring them back to their dorms.One member of the Synagogue should coordinate scheduling with the UB students. This entire process can be completed in one day. At 9am the shuttle will pick up the students from the University and take them to the Synagogue. At 9:30am they will pray with the community. The Rabbi will deliver a speech at 10:30am. The students will start working in the basement at 11am. Removing the items downstairs, cleaning and waxing with the supervisors should take them about 4 hours. At 3pm the students will be provided kosher food and the shuttle will return them to the University by 3:30pm.Conclusion It is of major importance that the basement floor be made safe and presentable. There are a number of ways to fund, and/or defray the cost of this project. This project will create measurable improvement in the appearance and drawing power of the Synagogue. It will also spur a chain reaction of incrementalimprovements to the physical appearance of the Synagogue, while encouraging