Congregation Beth Israel will host debut of "Josh's Pop-Up Restaurant" to benefit Tourette Syndrome

SCOTCH PLAINS -- Josh Klapper has been an active advocate for New Jersey's large, growing Tourette Syndrome community for a couple of years now. He's hosted the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) at for an in-service presentation his school, held a highly successful fundraising walk-a-thon and met with United States Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ7) to discuss proposed Tourette legislation.

But Klapper, a seventh-grader at Terrill Middle School, has another passion -- cooking -- and he's keen to show it off Sunday, November 17, at Congregation Beth Israel, 18 Shalom Way in Scotch Plains. The synagogue will play host to the debut of Klapper's "Josh's Pop-Up Restaurant," with all proceeds going toward the 4th annual NJ Walks for TS at Mendham on Saturday, November 23. The restaurant will be "open" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 17.

Josh's Pop-Up Restaurant will feature eggs on a bagel, customizable omelettes, cinnamon apples, grilled cheese and seasoned popcorn in a bag. There will be no charge for the food; instead, Klapper requests that donations be given to support NJ Walks for TS, the goal of which is to raise money to educate students and teachers at schools in every corner of New Jersey about Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, misunderstood, misdiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by involuntary sounds and movements known as tics. It affects 1 in 100 children and adults, including Klapper himself.

To date, Klapper has helped raise more than $4,500 for NJCTS through the 2012 walk-a-thon at Terrill Road School and fundraising efforts for this year's NJ Walks for TS. For more information about Tourette Syndrome or NJ Walks for TS at Mendham, please call 908-575-7350 or visit www.njcts.org.