The MESH Cafe has evolved considerably in the past three years. Prior to March of 2020, every Tuesday evening from September through June, The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei served dinner upstairs in the Gallery to 25-30 food insecure members of the Montclair community. When Covid prohibited in house dining, we provided Grab N Go complete meals which were distributed by MESH staff in a central outdoor location. Starting in 2023 MESH has an indoor location, the site of the former The Office restaurant at 619 Bloomfield Ave., provided through the generosity of the landlord. The doors open at 4:30 pm, meals are served at 5:15 pm and guests can stay and relax until 6:30 pm. The MESH Board has also set up a “MESH Store” where guests can “shop” for clothing and other essentials. The Store is only accepting donations of new items.
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Category Archives: Social Action
MESH Report Jan 24, 2023
Chef Fern worked her magic once again preparing a Mediterranean feast for 30 MESH guests in her home kitchen. She brought the meal in trays to Shomrei early Tuesday afternoon , all ready to be portioned and packed by Lynne Kurzweil and frequent teen helper, Jaden. The meal included Baked Salmon with lemon garnish and Yogurt Dill Sauce, Israeli Couscous Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and olives, Coleslaw, and Biscuits baked by Collin. Each guest was also given a tangerine, a cupcake, a water bottle and a breakfast bar. Continue reading
MESH Report Jan 17, 2023
It was crunch time in the Shomrei kitchen on Tuesday night as Chef Aileen Grossberg ably assisted by Susan Rosenblatt, Alex Kent and teen Jaden prepared a meal that crunched.
MESH Report Jan 10, 2023
It may have been dreary outside but in the Shomrei kitchen the atmosphere was warm and cheery. Chef Aileen Grossberg planned a hearty, comforting meal of chopped vegetable salad( tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots celery, and olives with a light dressing of vinegar and oil), glazed meatloaf, and rice with corn and peas. Each dinner included an Italian roll a container of applesauce, a trio of sweets, a breakfast bar and water.
MESH Report Jan 3, 2023
The team of Sarita Eisenberg, Lou Hammerman and Linda Ariel whipped up 30 meals and had them bagged and ready to go when Aileen Grossberg arrived at 4:45pm to bring them over to MESH.
MESH Report Dec 27, 2022
The dynamic cooking duo of Lynne Kurzweil and Joan Zief whipped up a feast of a comfort meal for 30 grateful MESH guests. With the able assistance of Susan Rosenblatt, all around amazing sous chef, helper, packer and dishwasher, the meal consisted of BBQ Rub Chicken, Roasted Vegetable Herb Rice, Roasted Peas and Carrots, Potato Latkes with Apple Sauce, sliced Italian bread, two clementines, Milano cookies, 3 Lindt chocolate truffles and a water bottle.
MESH Report Dec 13, 2022
This week our MESH guests were treated to Chef Fern’s fabulous Mediterranean Feast including a special Chanukah treat.
On the Menu: Baked Salmon with Sliced Lemons and Yogurt Dill Sauce, Fern’s first ever batch of homemade Potato Latkes, Spring Mix Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Apple Sauce Cups, Rolls, Cookies, a Protein Bar and a water bottle.
MESH Report Dec 13, 2022
It was a busy, busy day in Shomrei’s kitchen as Aileen Grossberg and Rhonda Silver prepared 25 hearty takeaway meals for MESH’s new indoor site at the former Office Restaurant.
Aileen was able to fill in for Shirley Grill, who was sidelined by COVID. But we MESHIES are always ready to do a quick pivot.
MESH Report Dec 6, 2022
Chef Sarita Eisenberg prepared 25 to-go meals assisted by Lou Hammerman, Linda Ariel and teen helper Jaden (taking time out from b’nai mitzvah preparation).