Teen Builds Outdoor Chapel for Eagle Scout Project

The Hebrew word ‘mitzvah’ refers to any ‘good deed,’ and one local teen really took it to heart.

congregant Nathan Lawless spent his Sunday putting the finishing touches on a new outdoor chapel for the synagogue. The project was part of his mission to earn his Eagle Scout rank and part of the synagogue’s mitzvah day.

More than 50 volunteers were on hand for a number of service projects to benefit either Temple Emanuel or the surrounding community on Sunday, May 22.

Lawless, 17, had his sights set on Eagle Scout, the highest rank a boy scout can receive. To earn the rank, scouts must earn merit badges, serve in a leadership role in the troop and plan and execute a community service project.

Lawless said planning for the project started last summer and required the approval of the temple board president, his scoutmaster, a scout troop committee and a county representative before any construction could begin. Lawless also needed to find a way to pay for building materials and other supplies.

He started raising money in January through solicitation letters to fellow temple members, and also held two fundraisers at Noodles & Company and Pizza Hut.

After completing the planning and approval process and raising enough money to fund the project, Lawless recruited as many volunteers as he could and began the project in early April.

The project unfolded in four work days, each enlisting the help of about 50 volunteers, Lawless said. First, the site needed to be cleared of brush, then the benches were constructed. Another day, the benches were put in place. The final step was completed Sunday morning after the last wheel barrel of mulch was spread.

When asked why he chose this project to complete his Eagle Scout badge, he said it seemed natural to give back to a place he has been a part of for just as long as Boy Scouts.

“I’ve grown up here, and there’s definitely a great energy [here],” he said. “And the temple really embraced the project and took it really enthusiastically. For me, it’s the satisfaction of knowing that I gave back to the synagogue.”

Although the project was challenging at times, Lawless got a lot out of it.

“That’s the learning experience of the Eagle project, you learn how to plan the projects, make changes and be prepared,” he said. “For me it’s an accomplishment. I’ve been in Boy Scouts since I was in first grade. That’s a long time.”

Lawless offered up each bench and nearly every tree surrounding the chapel for donations. For a donation, supporters could have a memorial plaque installed, honoring a person of their choice, which proved to be quite successful. In addition to the money raised for materials, Lawless was able to donate $702 back to Temple Emanuel.

“It was awesome, everyone was really generous. I stared fundraising, and I was just selling every bench and tree, and after the two fundraisers we had money left to give back,” he said.

Temple members were obviously impressed with Lawless’ work, and Rabbi/Canton Rhoda Silverman was particularly thankful that Lawless chose to complete his Eagle Scout project at the temple.

“Just the fact that we are beneficiaries of his gift is phenomenal,” she said. “The outdoor chapel is something that we’ve wanted to do for years.”

Silverman also said this was a project that Temple Emanuel would likely not haven been able to do on its own.

“We’re a small congregation financially, which means we don’t always have the means to do these things by ourselves,” she said. “That to me is very powerful.”

Lori and Gordon Lawless, Nathan’s parents, were proud of the way Nathan took on a major responsibility and made the commitment to see it come to fruition, Lori said.

“When he had to take on this project, you could just see the maturity come out in him,” she said. “He just took charge of it. It’s an amazing process and I am just so proud of him.”

Lawless’ father, Gordon, said he thought his son was developing some really valuable skills that will likely serve him well.

“It shows him leadership and basic project management skills,” he said. “And I think it really showed him how to be an adult.”

Pending official approval from the scout troop committee, Lawless will receive his Eagle Scout Certificate this November.