From Captain Lynne Kurzweil:
On a festive Tuesday evening, our Shomrei building was filled with warmth, joy and many happy, grateful people. In addition to our 21 MESH guests (plus 4 takeaway meals), we prepared and served a holiday feast for Shomrei’s 15 IHN guests.
Uber Chef Aileen Grossberg orchestrated the meal beginning with a hearty vegetable soup with meatballs served with a toasted baguette. The main course was Southern Style Oven Fried Chicken, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash and Craisins with a Dijon Vinaigrette. Also potato latkes with apple sauce and a side of semi-homemade coleslaw. Dessert was Aileen’s homemade Chanukah Apple Cake, fresh fruit cup and a scoop of TJs Soy Ice Cream. Our guests were ecstatic! Aileen also prepared a goody bag for each guest including a water bottle, clementine, snack bar.
We had helpers galore, fortunately, since there was a lot to wash, chop, skin, prep, serve (upstairs and downstairs) and clean up. With so many hard working helpers, Aileen remarked that everything was ready to serve by 6 pm! Shomrei helpers were Linda Blume, Carol Katzman, Beryl Hiller, Lanny Kurzweil, Carolyn Lack, Melanie Grossberg, Steve Hoviss, as well as Norm and Vicki Pollack, friends of Aileen. Lucy Segal, MESH Chaplaincy Intern, and her daughter, Skyler, also pitched in, in addition to Montclair High School volunteers, Jahiaida, Jon and Jordana. MESH staffers, Bonny and Joe, ensured that the evening ran smoothly. A note of special Mazel Tov to Bonny on the recent birth of her first grandchild, Taylor.
Next week, Bright Hope Baptist Church will fill in for us so we can ring in 2020. Check the sign up as we have lots of open slots for the new year. To sign up to help, go to shomrei.org/mesh.
Message from Co-chairs, Lynne & Aileen: MESH is collecting blankets for its respite site that provides shelter on extremely cold nights. Contact Aileen (email hidden; JavaScript is required) or Lynne (email hidden; JavaScript is required) for further information.
About MESH:
The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless) is a cooperative effort between the MESH organization and local synagogues and churches. Volunteers at each institution cook and serve hearty, nutritious meals for the hungry. Shomrei’s turn is on Tuesday nights. A good meal, and perhaps as important, social interaction and companionship offer respite to those who need it. Please help fulfill this crucial mitzvah by volunteering.
To sign up to help, go to shomrei.org/mesh.
Have questions?
Contact:
Email Lynne Kurzweil or call (973)746-0816
Email Aileen Grossberg or call (973) 744-3836
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