Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

David Harris

Twenty women at “Thanksgiving Mitzvah" created festive meals for over 130 families.

For the fourth year in a row, clients at the Jewish Family Service Barbash Family Vital Support Center in Clifton will enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal thanks to the Thanksgiving Mitzvah project, organized by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Last Sunday twenty women spent their morning packaging over 130 kosher and non-kosher Thanksgiving meals, complete with stuffing, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce and dessert.

“Packing meals that can brighten someone’s Thanksgiving is giving back to me. It’s what it’s all about,” said Sarah Wise, Vice Chair of Women’s Philanthropy.

“All this work makes a big difference,” said Sandee Golden, Food Pantry and Volunteer Manager at Jewish Family Service. “While we always provided turkeys for Thanksgiving, our clients really appreciate this additional package that lets them prepare a complete and wholesome Thanksgiving meal.”

The Women’s Philanthropy planning committee—Amy Boss, Michelle Levine, Rini Levy and Sarah Wise—identified women they felt would be interested, and almost everyone said yes. Each woman signed up to bring items to put in the packages and donated a roasting pan to ensure proper cooking as well. Special touches included decorative napkins and a Thanksgiving prayer in English, Hebrew, and Russian.

“I love the Thanksgiving mitzvah because it shows that it takes such little effort to have a big impact. I always leave feeling great not only because of what we did but also because of the new people I get to meet,” said Rini Levy, Women’s Philanthropy Chair.

Before leaving, the women took tours of the facility and were given the chance to select “snowmen” with holiday wish list items for clients of Jewish Family Service’s Adoption Connection. “It’s wonderful to know you are helping feed needy people in Cincinnati, as well as learn more about the food pantry,” said Michelle Levine, 2016 event planning committee member.

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati supports the work of Jewish Family Service through allocations from its annual Community Campaign. Last year 22 percent of total allocations went to support five Jewish Family Service programs. The Jewish Federation’s 2017 Community Campaign has already begun. More information can be found at JewishCincinnati.org/GIVE.

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