Author Archives: Linda Ariel

Mesh Cafe Mar 6, 2018

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image2From Captain Linda Ariel

On March 6, 2018, the MESH Cafe at Shomrei welcomed 23 guests to join us at a sumptuous four course meal. We started with Pasta with Crudites, followed with an Asian Salad. The main course was delicious Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Vegetables, and Bread and Spread on the side. Dessert was plentiful with Fresh Fruit Salad, Home Baked Brownies, and Clementines. Our guests loved the food, especially the meatloaf, and asked for seconds and thirds. As they left, they thanked us all again for the warm welcoming environment and the good food.

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Dale Russakoff – Shomrei’s Mensch-in-Chief

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Dale

In 1994, Dale Russakoff moved to Montclair with her husband, Matt Purdy, a reporter at the New York Times, and their two sons, Sam and Adam. She worked as a reporter for the Washington Post in their New York office. Soon after arriving in town, the Purdy/Russakoff family was greeted by Judy Post, Neal Yudkoff, and their daughter, Sunny, neighbors who live immediately behind them in their neighborhood. This connection was meaningful and reinforced the family’s interest in becoming part of the Shomrei community. They joined the synagogue, signing Adam up for the Shomrei nursery school. Dale remembers their first Rosh Hashanah in Montclair when she saw Neal addressing the congregation as its president. Participating in the services  helped the family feel part of Shomrei. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe Sept 26, 2017

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From Captain Linda Ariel:

We welcomed 24 guests to the MESH Cafe this past Tuesday. MESH intern, China, joined teen volunteers Amalia, Davida, and Teddy in setting up and serving the appetizer of a multicolor salad with a whole wheat bagel on the side. This was followed by the entree of blueberry syrup glazed salmon, steamed brussel sprouts, and brown rice with carrots and herbs. For dessert, our guests enjoyed fresh fruit salad and apple cake. A goodie bag of fresh bagels were given as they departed for the evening. Not a morsel was left from this delicious repast. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe May 16, 2017

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From Captain Linda Ariel:

On a warm spring evening, the MESH Cafe at Shomrei welcomed twenty-four guests to a delicious dinner. John Lasiter, with the able support of sous chef, Adrienne Lasiter, created a meal with a palate of flavors that delighted the hungry group. The menu included hummus with pita chips, a colorful vegetable salad, bread and butter, sockeye salmon topped with a mustard glaze, roasted scallions, and home baked chocolate peanut butter pinwheels with ice cream. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe Jan 17, 2017

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MESH Jan 17 2017From Captain Linda Ariel:

On a dark rainy raw wintery night, Shomrei Emunah welcomed twenty-two guests into our warm bright home. Sarita Eisenberg and Sarah Steindel were the chefs who created a wonderful nutritious meal from not only food that they had purchased but also from repurposed food from the kiddush and hosting IHN.

The menu for the evening began with a delicious green salad with artichoke hearts as the surprise, with bread and butter on the side. This was followed by baked tilapia in a lemon mustard sauce complimented by roasted broccoli and carrots and warm savory rice and beans. The dessert was fresh fruit salad with Oreos on the side.The guests were most appreciative of the food and expressed through compliments to the chefs and partaking of seconds that were available. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe Nov 29, 2016

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MESH Nov 29 2016

From Captain Linda Ariel:

Our MESH cafe met on a raw, rainy night, and we had nineteen guests, including one child. I understand that some of our regular guests have jobs for the holidays and were not able to come, but I anticipate that we will be back to our usual number of guests as the winter progresses.

Chefs Sarita Eisenberg and Sarah Steindel prepared a hearty meal of corn salad accompanied by bread and butter, warm chili on rice with broccoli on the side, completed by dessert of clementines and chocolate chip cookies. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe Sept 20, 2016

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From Captain Linda Ariel:

MESH 920161On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 24 hungry guests were served at the MESH Cafe at Congregation Shomrei Emunah. The chef, Sarah Steindel, was assisted by Sarita Eisenberg and Charles Steindel.

There were many people helping with serving, clean up, and washing the pots and pans. They included volunteers Erin Berman and Lou Hammerman and teens Amalia, Siona, Sebastian, Sam, Rachel, and Matt.  There were also four MASH staff who collaborated  in making the evening a smooth, welcoming environment. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe June 14, 2016

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From Captain Linda Ariel:

We had a diverse group of guests at MESH Cafe on Tuesday, May 14th. Our cook, Sarita Eisenberg, noted that in addition to some familiar faces, there were many new people whom we welcomed this week as well. Our twenty-four guests responded enthusiastically when the menu was introduced, which was both delicious and filling. In addition to Sarita in the kitchen, Sarah Steindel prepped and cooked during the morning. This coordination between Sarita and Sarah allowed this wonderful meal to be ready when the guests entered Shomrei at 6:30 p.m.

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Mesh Cafe May 31, 2016

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MESH 2016 may 31From Captain Linda Ariel:

We had a delicious meal planned for our twenty- four guests this evening who came hungry and excited about being back at the MESH Cafe at Shomrei. The menu included an appetizer of cheese, crackers, and fruit, the second course consisting of a green salad, the entree of baked tilapia seasoned with olive oil, fresh oregano, and garlic, green beans and roasted tomatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, and buttered rye bread, culminating with the dessert of rugelach, watermelon, and yellow cake with chocolate frosting. The repast was created by chef extraordinaire Lynne Kurzweil, with help from her sous chef, Gus. Continue reading →

Mesh Cafe Mar 1, 2016

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MESH 2016 Mar 1

Tonight we served twenty-eight guests with delicious nutritious food prepared by chefs Sarita Eisenberg and Sarah Steindel. The menu comprised minestrone soup, salmon croquettes on buns with a side of MESH 2 2016 Mar 1salsa, a melange of grilled vegetables, pasta salad, and couscous salad, a desert of chocolate tartes, cookies, and fruit salad. We had fifteen enthusiastic volunteers to plate, serve. and clean up, many of whom are Shomrei teens, four of whom were part of Sarita’s entourage – Lou Hammerman, Marvin Hammerman, Matt Rosen, and Charissa Wijaya – and four of whom were from Montclair State University. Continue reading →