DRS Yeshiva HS Teams Up With JCC To Help Those In Need Enjoy Passover

Realizing that many families in the community hit hard by the economy may not be able to enjoy Passover, the 12^th grade class of DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys in Woodmere recently teamed up with Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns to help provide a holiday-style meal for those who may have gone without.   The effort was spearheaded by DRS student Eliot Samimi, under the supervision of Rabbi Eli Brazil, Director of Student Activities/Recruitment at DRS.

Starting by raffling off an iPad, which was donated by one DRS student, they raised $4000 to make this effort possible.  The raffle money was then used to purchase food and supplies from a distributor along with boxes and a rental truck to make the delivery to the JCC of the Greater Five Towns’ Kol Ditzrich Kosher Food Pantry.  

In all, 147 boxes were packed by DRS students, which were filled with non-perishable supplies for Passover including tuna, mayonnaise, matzah, oil, cereal, salad dressing, paper towels, sponges and other essential items.  Once the boxes were packed, DRS students loaded the rented truck and delivered them to the food pantry, located at 1012 Central Avenue in Woodmere. Then, in assembly-line fashion, they helped unpack all the boxes, making their donations readily available for distribution to get to it local families in need.

“This heartwarming mitzvah by the students will help many needy families in our community enjoy the Passover holiday,” said Rina Shkolnik, executive director, JCC of the Greater Five Towns. “These young men learned a valuable life lesson in what it means to give back to their community and we are grateful for their kindness and hard work.”

The JCC’s food pantry is partially funded by a grant from the UJA Federation of NY and the Five Towns Community Chest and run by volunteers from the JCC, local schools and synagogues. To keep its shelves stocked and help fund the voucher program with local markets, the JCC relies on donations from area businesses and the community at large. Monetary donations to help support the Love Your Neighbor initiative and the food pantry can be sent to the JCC of the Greater Five Towns, 207 Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Donations of non-perishable kosher food items can be dropped off at 1012 Central Avenue, Woodmere. For hours of operation, call Ellen Warshall, food pantry coordinator at 516-295-5678.

The Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns is a beneficiary agency of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation of New York, a member agency of the United Way of Long Island, the Jewish Community Centers Association and an affiliate of the Five Towns Community Chest. It serves the communities of Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Woodmere. For more information, please contact the JCC at 516-569-6733, or visit www.fivetownsjcc.org.