In communities across the Northeast, B’nai B’rith volunteers have brought Project H.O.P.E (Helping Our People Everywhere), a community action project whose major goal is the collection and distribution of food packages to poor and elderly Jews during Passover for the past 30 years. For Passover 2010, almost 4000 packages of Kosher for Passover food were delivered. Many Jews who cannot afford special holiday foods depend on B’nai B’rith members to provide matzo and other Passover staples. To the recipients, the remembrance is often as special as the needed food. This program, born from Operation Matzoh, had its roots in Brooklyn in the early 70s’, and continues to provide an opportunity for B’nai B’rith volunteers to fulfill the mitzvah of helping others enjoy the holiday.
In many communities, BBYO chapters join the ranks of volunteers. Teens will be able to benefit from this community service themselves as it provides service credits for their high school requirements. Many of the participants have made this a part of their family holiday volunteering tradition. As B’nai B’rith Young Professional Networks continue to grow in communities, we are grateful to the new corps of volunteers that have joined this program. We were pleased to welcome the “Do Something Committee” that has formed in N.Y.C. and made Project H.O.P.E. one of their first priorities.
At every Project H.O.P.E. location, one can observe volunteers working hard and lingering at the end of the distribution to enjoy the camaraderie that comes with doing something good. As they leave, many extended the hope that they will be able to be back again next year and do it again. Volunteers share their experiences with us, and often say that they get as much out of the program as the recipients do.
Project H.O.P.E. works with B’nai B’rith members.
Jewish organizations provide the lists of people who need packages, and the facilities for collecting, storing, and packing the food. B’nai B’rith volunteers assemble and deliver the packages in shopping bags that are filled with matzo, gefilte fish, borsht, horseradish, eggs, and in some communities cooked or frozen chicken.
Distributions are being held from March 14 until March 28. As usual, the devotion of the chairs who work all year to raise the funds, set up the food orders, and work with social service agencies to maintain the lists of recipients, make this all possible. Many of these men and woman add this project to a list of the many things they do for B’nai B’rith. To all of these wonderful people who make Project H.O.P.E. a reality each year we say thank you.
The Jewish holidays also provide the opportunity to engage in community service projects, such as food and clothing drives, throughout the year.
CCA Chair Howard Rothman invites you to share any information about your community projects, and to learn how to bring national CCA programs such as B’nai B’rith Cares for Kids and Smarter Kids Safer Kids to your community.
If you would like more information about bringing BBMex programs to your community, or would like to make a donation to support Project H.O.P.E. or any other program in your area, please contact [email protected]
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