On Tuesday (April 8), Congregation Shomrei Emunah delivered the results of their spring Pasta Drive on behalf of the Human Needs Food Pantry. Members gave generously and filled an SUV with all they gathered. Continue reading
Category Archives: Social Action
MESH Report: April 8, 2025
This week the fabulous team of Sara Steindel, Alex Kent & Susan Rosenblatt prepared 46 delicious meat meals of breaded chicken breast, mixed vegetables & roasted potatoes. Impossible meatballs with spaghetti sauce were prepared for 4 vegan meals along with the veggies & potatoes. Andy & Carol Blau were the co-captains/ head chefs. They shopped and were greeted by MESH recipients and staff who expressed their gratitude for the meals upon delivery!
Chag Pesach Sameach to all! Continue reading
Affordable Housing in Montclair
Janice Talley, Montclair’s Town Planner is preparing a Housing Element and Fair Share plan for the township to submit to the State. It will contain elements needed to fulfill our affordable housing obligations set by the State. We are at a critical juncture in our town—either we include elements in the plan such as zoning variances which allow for more affordable housing throughout our town, or we go the route of becoming a less diverse, more expensive community. The Town Council is sponsoring a survey created by the Economic Development Council (EDC) to survey the larger community about affordable housing. Continue reading
Teen MESH, 3/24-3/25
We were a small but mighty crew for Teen MESH this week. Jordan, Eva, and Sena, with some help from Fern, made it happen on Monday evening.
B’nai Mitzvah Families Do MESH: March 10 & 11, 2025
B’nai Mitvah families shopped and prepared meals for MESH this week under the guidance of experienced MESHer Sarita Eisenberg. The meal was Sarita’s usual – barbequed chicken, roasted potatoes, and salad. We cooked and did some packing on Monday and then reheated the food and completed the packing on Tuesday.
MESH Report: Feb 24th, 2025
MESH this week was prepared on Monday (to be delivered on Tuesday) by teens in PLATE – Providing Local Aid to End Hunger. This is a Montclair High School Club led by Shomrei teen Jordan. The enthusiastic teens who have been participating in Teen MESH inspired the creation of PLATE.
MESH Report: Feb 11th, 2025
This past Tuesday three newly minted MESH team members joined Aileen Grossberg and Lynne Kurzweil to prepare a delicious comfort food meal for 50 MESH guests. Continue reading
MESH Report: Jan 28th
Cook Sarita Eisenberg and her team whipped up a meal for 50 in just 2 hours!
The team included Sarita’s usual crew of Lou Hammerman and Linda Ariel joined by Sarah Steindel, Risa Bernstein, and Carol Rothman. Also helping were Risa’s son Coby and his partner Sam Benke, visiting from Germany (putative prizewinners for the longest distance traveled to help with MESH).
MESH Report: Jan 13 & 14 Teen MESH
This week, the enthusiastic teens met late Monday afternoon to cook for MESH (to be delivered Tuesday to The Office). Captain Jordan, with Vicky, Caitlin, Olivia, Audrey and Sofia from Montclair High, joined Chef Fern to cook a hearty meal for fifty guests.
MESH Report December 24, 2024
’Twas the eve before Hanukkah
And all through the shul
Not a person was present
In the office or school.
The halls were dark.
The playground was quiet.
Rabbi Julie was not to be found.
BUT enter the kitchen and
What do you see?
Six volunteers so busily
Preparing a meal for the
Food insecure.
It’s MESH night at Shomrei
You can be sure.