Fall 2006

What’s a Jewish holiday without a little nosh?

Thanks to Jewish Family Service operations around the Bay, many housebound seniors don’t have a clue.

In the Jewish community, the Koret Food Program funds an important connection to isolated families and individuals who otherwise would have little access to celebrating Jewish life throughout the year. For the volunteers who call on them with Rosh Hashanah gift bags, Hanukkah treats, Purim pastries, and Seder Sacks, the experience is equally, if not more meaningful. (This year, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the East Bay is adding a monthly Shabbat delivery in those months that have no Jewish holiday.) The family service agencies partner with local schools, and congregations help decorate bags and deliver them to their largely senior clientele.

“I can’t tell you how wonderful it was … delivering the bags to seniors in San Francisco,” said Harold Abend, a volunteer who has made deliveries for Jewish Family & Children's Services of San Francisco for many years. “This year was the best! I had a Russian woman named Marina with me, and she was able to talk to one lady who was so thankful to talk to someone in her native tongue. We also met Harriet, 99, and Fanny, 93, both still full of life, passion, and love … and Sol, who wanted to speak Hebrew with me.

“All told, we saw 12 people, and their total time on this earth exceeded 1,000 years,” he said. “Unbelievable!”

Jewish Holiday Food Deliveries

	Rosh Hashanah	Hanukkah	Purim	Passover
JFCS San Francisco	1,385	1,387	305	1,323
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley*	288	310	265	320

* Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley delivers 690 hot meals to the homebound during Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and Passover.