Community Corner

In Albany, as the state budget is being finalized, Met Council is celebrating successfully securing an additional $50 million for the Nourish New York Initiative, a vital tool in the fight against food insecurity and an important lifeline for the state’s local farmers. After initially being slated to only receive $25 million in initial budget proposals, Nourish NY received $50 million in the budget’s final form, thanks to a coalition of legislators led by Assembly Members Dan Rosenthal and Catalina Cruz and State Senators Joseph Addabbo and Andrew Gounardes. Nourish New York is an emergency food program that was created last year, thanks to early pandemic advocacy by Met Council on Jewish Poverty. Since the start of the pandemic, Met Council had distributed over 15 million pounds of free food to more than 305,000 New Yorkers in need and assisted over 380 food pantries.

On Thursday, March 12, as a continuation of its “Wired for Success” program, which was initiated last year, Shevach High School held a thought-provoking morning. Coordinated by technology program heads Hodaya Alcoby, Daniella Haim, and Dina Kiffel, under the guidance of Shevach Principal Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, the theme of “Take Our Advice, Stay Off Your Device” was introduced.

 As the risk of infection to COVID-19 remains an ever-present danger for the community-at-large, one supermarket took upon itself the impressive task of vaccinating its entire crew. Chaimy Deutsch, manager of the Main Street location for the Seasons supermarket chain, understands the stakes for his customers and employees and went the extra mile to ease their minds.

Pirkei Avos was collected and written down by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi in Eretz Yisrael as a statement of the principles of the Jewish religion. Pirkei Avos details the Torah’s views on ethics and interpersonal relationships. Unlike all the other books of the Mishnah, Pirkei Avos has no law in it. It is made up of wise sayings or lessons.

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens has been at the forefront of feeding local Jewish needy families since 1979. TSQ prides itself on its intergenerational group of dedicated volunteers.

The weeks leading up to Pesach are often filled with fragrant aromas emanating from homes, as delectable dishes are prepared for the holiday festivities. But many families struggle to put food on their tables. This year, a long list of organizations, individuals, and synagogues took on the plight of food insecurity plaguing our community and went above and beyond to ease the financial burdens on families ahead of the holiday. I was privileged to personally visit an array of food pantries, meet and greet clients, and interact and assist volunteers on their mission to feed the hungry. I also spoke with other community leaders who operated noteworthy food distributions. I encourage our readership to submit Letters to the Editor that highlight additional Pesach food drives.