It was still gloomy outside but in the Shomrei kitchen the colors couldn’t have been brighter and the MESH volunteers cheerier as they prepared the night’s meal.

New Shomrei members- but experienced food preparers- Carol and Andy Blau joined co-chairs Lynne Kurzweil and Aileen Grossberg is putting together 50 simple but satisfying meals which included an array of colorful raw vegetables, hummus, a generous serving of Aileen’s “Everything Egg Salad, “ semi- homemade coleslaw, a large sandwich roll, a bag of chips, a mini coffee cake and container of applesauce.

The meal hit most of the flavor notes and textures from soft to crunchy. The MESH staff reported that the guests like our egg salad so we are experimenting with less costly ingredients and simple menus.

We even made use of the leftovers from Monday night’s breakfast, adding the potato salad along with lots of other tasty ingredients to the egg salad.

MESH is always happy to have our leftovers which supplement the meals prepared by partner congregations or allow for extra people to be served.

We are still in need of volunteers to prepare our twice monthly 50 meals. People willing to be captains are especially needed.

Our next MESH Prep date is October 10. See Sign Up Genius for other future dates: shomrei,org/mesh

Please think of volunteering in the kitchen, delivering and serving food at MESH’s site at the Office Restaurant, or making a donation to Shomrei’s MESH fund. Feed a family for 25 dollars; feed the crowd for 360 dollars.

About MESH:

The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope) is a cooperative effort between the MESH organization and local synagogues and churches. While in-person service has been discontinued, we are providing hearty, nutritious take-out meals for the hungry. Shomrei’s turn is on Tuesday nights. Please help fulfill this crucial mitzvah by volunteering to help with food preparation or bagging or by making a donation at: shomrei.org/donate.

For questions, contact Lynne or Aileen
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Aileen Grossberg

Aileen Grossberg, a professional librarian, is a long-time congregant and serves as volunteer librarian for Shomrei's Lampert Library. The library, one of the best-kept secrets at Shomrei is used by the Rabbi, congregants, students and teachers of the JLC (Hebrew School) and Preschool. It's a tremendous resource completely supported by your donations and gifts. Aileen also heads the Shomrei Caterers, the in-house food preparation group. Can there be any better combination…good food and good books!

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