Central Queens Jewish Community Circle, CQJCC, founded in 2019 by Rebbetzin Mushky Mendelson of Congregation Machane Chodosh, began distributing the first of its 100 Thanksgiving/Chanukah gift packages to neighbors in Forest Hills and Rego Park earlier this week. The packages include Thanksgiving-themed challah rolls courtesy of Rashbag Challah.
The Queens Jewish Link spoke with one of the handful of volunteers involved in the distribution. “We began with a Rosh HaShanah distribution and decided that the holiday season was the best opportunity to again spread the cheer of a chag," explained Lisa Ruosso, a Forest Hills nutritionist. "I learned about the work of Rebbetzin Mendelson from Dr. Rakhil Rubinova, D.O. of Diabetes & Endocrinology Care Center, and she was my encouragement to sign up to assist."
When asked who receives the packages, Lisa noted, "There are many in our community who are homebound and are simply socially isolated. Sending them a holiday package shows we care."
You can learn more or get involved at www.cqjcc.org.