“We say at the Seder, ‘all those who are hungry come and eat,’” said Cynthia Zalisky, executive director of the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC).
And they came in droves.
The QJCC, in partnership with Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – who donated $5,000 toward food purchasing – and Beth Abraham Family of Health Services worked to package kosher food essentials for the eight-day Passover celebration that begins at sundown on April 18. Hundreds of those in need, including seniors, the unemployed and underemployed gathered at QJCC in Forest Hills for a free package that included five pounds of matzo, grape juice, apricot preserves, vegetable oil, mayonnaise, tuna, potatoes, carrots and more.
“For an eight day holiday, there has to be a substantial amount of food,” said Zalisky. “We can’t possibly give them everything but we will do whatever we can to help.”
The food distribution at QJCC was one of the largest of the 100 distributions in New York City over the next two weeks. More than 3,000 packages of food were distributed during last year’s Passover, a number that is expected to be matched and surpassed.
“This is what we call a mitzvah,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, who attended the distribution with Assemblymembers Grace Meng and Aravella Simotas and Councilmember Karen Koslowitz.
“You can see the anxiety in people’s eyes,” said Meng. “This spirit of giving transcends religion.”
Community members waited patiently to receive their provisions on a line that stretched from the front door to the lower level of the building located at 119-45 Union Turnpike in Forest Hills. Zoya Shalamova from Forest Hills walked out with her food package and a smile on her face.
“This is great. We are all very thankful,” said Shalamova.
As big donations roll in from community stores like Stop & Shop in Glendale, distributions at QJCC will continue through the Passover holiday. For more information about distributions or to make a donation, call 718-544-9033.
