Several Jewish organizations in South Florida have stepped up to the plate providing free food to people who are struggling financially due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
In South Palm Beach County, a food project in Boca Raton donated truckloads of kosher for Passover meals and groceries to local people in need. The combined effort came from the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, its Deborah and Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement and Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation, Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, Hands On Tzedakah and many rabbis and synagogues from the region.
“This food project featured an incredible combination of leadership from our Federation, Jewish Family Services, Hands On Tzedakah and all the rabbis – Orthodox, Reform and Conservative – from our community,” said Matthew C. Levin, president & CEO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. “It was a tremendous moment for the community.”
The first wave of trucks delivered their goods for unloading and sorting on the Federation’s campus in Boca Raton, where a line of cars picked them up the following day. The second and last huge delivery arrived, was sorted and picked up for recipient deliveries at the Federation.
The idea for the project started when part-time Boca Raton residents Jerry and Shelly Abramson had to cancel their annual hotel event, MatzaFun Passover Program, on short notice and were left with food for 800 hotel guests. The Abramsons had previously aided in the South Palm Beach Jewish community’s Hurricane Irma response, and felt that its partnerships could come together quickly and get the food to the people who need it.
Within a couple of hours of Jerry Abramson’s call to the Federation, the partnership had raised the funds to purchase approximately $125,000 of non-perishables, frozen meats, prepared dishes and more at the couple’s cost, and were already planning to distribute it for up to 10,000 Passover meals. The community raised the money to pay the Abramsons the bare cost of the food.
Jerry Abramson said he’s proud to partner with the South Palm Beach Jewish community on projects like this.
“I’m also proud that they’re able to take care of the community and expedite everything as quickly as possible so people can have a glorious holiday of Passover.”
Rabbi Josh Broide, director of the Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation, said, “We were able to put this spectacular effort together so quickly because of the relationships we’ve built with our dedicated rabbis, who always look forward to working together for the benefit of our community.”
Rabbi Dan Levin of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, a Reform synagogue, said, “Families and households that were already vulnerable and at risk before the crisis are feeling even more stress.”
“This incredible effort by our Jewish community literally brought tears to the eyes of people we were able to help.”
Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation, said, “We can, and we must, stop the spread of the impact of this virus by ensuring all have basic necessities and provisions.”
“Ensuring the most vulnerable are taking care of in times like this says everything about a community.”
Danielle Hartman, president and CEO for the Boca Raton-based Rales JFS, said, “Kosher for Passover food items are very expensive, and many families are already struggling with food insecurity.”
“This Passover distribution is another wonderful example of what makes our Jewish community so special.”
The South Palm Jewish community also feels the efforts of Summer Faerman, the Tzedakah Learning & Chesed programming director at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, and Hands on Tzedakah, which is also based in Boca and is led by its president Ron Gallatin, for food distributions like this is invaluable.
‘”All of us were able to step up and and recognize the needs of our community,” Faerman said regarding this project. “Everyone played their role to make this happen.”
Visit ralesjfs.org or call 561 852-3333 for more information on Rales JFS’ services, including its food pantry with deliveries and a kosher Meals on Wheels program for seniors. Visit jewishboca.org or call 561-852-3100 for more information on the Federation. Visit handsontzedakah.org for more information on HOT.
Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center in Fort Lauderdale hosted a drive-thru food distribution with Feeding South Florida for people with little or no work during the coronavirus crisis.
According to Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki of the Chabad center, the event’s volunteers gave out approximately 2,000 bags of food to more than 1,500 cars. He felt it was incredible to see the team of volunteers who helped out at the event.
“It was amazing to see the love. Love is contagious and we saw so much love and happy smiles and faces of moms and dads who were coming home with food for their families.”
Slavaticki said the distribution was open for both Jews and non-Jews.
“This is what Judaism is all about and what being an American is all about, which is just being there for one another as we’re all in this together.”
Visit jewishfl.org for more information on the Chabad center.
The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewish Volunteer Center has listed among its volunteer projects and ideas for the community during the coronavirus crisis, a collection of donations for a food bank. Contact the center at jewishpb.org/volunteer/.
