JFS DESERT DELIVERS PASSOVER
MEALS TO LOCAL HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Passover is the most ancient of all Jewish festivals. It is a national festival, an agricultural festival, and a family festival that is celebrated every spring for a period of seven days in Israel (eight days elsewhere).
Passover commemorated the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. It marks the birth of the Jewish nation following the liberation from foreign domination and oppression. This liberation led to national and religious independence.
JFS typically hosts a communal Café Europa gathering to celebrate Passover with the Valley’s local Holocaust survivors. Café Europa is a social club inviting Survivors to meet regularly to build supportive relationships, and participate in social and educational activities including trips, holiday celebrations and entertainment.
This year, JFS had to think outside the box due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the Valley’s Survivors live alone and the prospect of them having family and friends to enjoy the holiday with does not meet the social distancing/shelter-at-home criteria. We thought, if we can at minimum bring some sort of “normal” to our Café Europa member’s Passover during this crisis, we have to do it; hence the idea to deliver Passover meals was born. JFS, with the help of Rabbi Kreimen and the financial support of Jewish Federation of the Desert, was able to deliver 29 Passover meals that included all the Seder fixings, to our Valley’s Survivors.
Julie Hirsh along with the incredible assistance of one of JFS’ dedicated volunteers (and husband), Debi Stolzoff, hit the road on April 8th to traverse the Valley in pursuit of delivery.
“We could not think of a better way to spend the first day of Passover. Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who made the Passover meal delivery possible,” commented Julie Hirsh.
JFS Desert’s mission is to provide for the social service needs of the Jewish and general community throughout the greater Coachella Valley with a commitment to promote the well being of persons of all ages, incomes and lifestyles.
The work of JFS is made possible by major grants from the Jewish Federation of the Desert, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, United Way of the Desert, Annenberg Foundation, Fogelson Family Foundation, Auen Foundation and the generosity of the following cities: Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. We thank all of our compassionate donors who support the welfare of all valley residents.
For more information on ways to support JFS Desert, call 760-325-4088, or visit www.JFSDesert.org.
