Maybe the world was purposely broken by God to give human beings the opportunity to fix it.

If so, say members of Congregation M'Kor Shalom, opportunity lies within Camden.

Tikkun olam or "repairing the world" is one of the great commandments in the Jewish tradition, said Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz, who leads the Cherry Hill synagogue.

"Camden is a community in need of much repair," Schwartz said. "It is a religious obligation."

That's why the synagogue is holding a Jewish community summit about Camden on Sunday.

It wants to encourage people to volunteer and take part in the city's rebirth.

Among the speakers are Jeff Nash, Camden County freeholder-director; Tommy Corcoran of the Cooper's Ferry Development Association; Joe Fleming of Camden Churches Organized for People; Dr. Stella Horton of the Juvenile Resource Center in Camden; and Randy Primas, Camden City's chief operating officer.

Since 1994, Stewart Abrams has been driving into Camden to volunteer.

"Someone asked me if I could help and I said, `yes,' " said Abrams, 44.

An environmental engineer who lives in Mount Laurel, he is a board member of the Metropolitan Camden Habitat for Humanity.

He's also on the board of directors of the Cramer Hill Community Development Corporation.

He builds houses. He offers expert advice on environmental issues. He helps plan for the future.

Abrams, who is a member of M'Kor Shalom, hopes the conference will encourage five, 10 or 20 others to raise their hands and say "yes."

"I have come to believe that reclaiming Camden is a task that is possible," Abrams said. "If everybody accepted that we have a little responsibility to alleviate poverty in our cities, there wouldn't be poverty in our cities."

Tzedakah means "justice and righteousness." That's a strong focus at M'Kor Shalom, said Nancy Axelrod, who is involved with the synagogue's social action committee.

Over the years, members have gone into the city to clean streets, build houses, work at a soup kitchen and attend interfaith services.

They are trying to "de-mystify" Camden, said Axelrod, a 46-year-old mother who lives in Haddonfield.

With the state poised to take over Camden, there are a lot of opportunities to invest time, money and skills there, she said. Volunteer. Open a business in the city. Think about moving there. Visit the cultural institutions.

Because, she said, as Camden falls, so does the entire region.

"That's what drives me," Axelrod said. "I can't just sit here and watch my brothers and sisters in Camden suffering and not do anything about it."

If you go
Congregation M'Kor Shalom will hold a Jewish community summit about Camden from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. `Connecting with Camden: Building Partnerships' will be held at the synagogue, 850 Evesham Road, Cherry Hill. There is a $7 charge at the door. Lunch is included.
Call (856) 424-4220 or visit www.mkorshalom.org .