The Citymeals Blog

Passover is my favorite holiday. When I was growing up in North Carolina it was always a large get-together with a wonderful mix of people. My parents were from Brooklyn originally and we didn’t have extended family locally, so Passover became a gathering of friends – both Jewish and not.

Now I host the same kind of Seder each year inviting everyone who is near and dear to us, and can fit around our table. Tonight my longtime friend and Citymeals colleague Tina will join us with her family. And last year I packed a cooler full of traditional dishes and took Passover on the road to Boston, where my son and daughter were studying. We hosted a Seder in our hotel room for their college friends and enjoyed brisket and chicken, gefilte fish with horseradish, matzo, and of course macaroons.

Wherever we are celebrating, Passover is about telling our story through the meal that we share.

For Citymeals, it’s important to provide our meal recipients with food that is Kosher for Passover, and also reflects what they have known and enjoyed all their lives. Because many have outlived their family and friends, their memories of Jewish traditions and past celebrations are all they have. Our holiday meal delivery takes on increasing significance – providing as much comfort as it does nourishment.

Over the last several weeks, Citymeals delivered more than 4,000 boxes each filled with eight Kosher for Passover meals so that our homebound elderly neighbors can observe the holiday. Our warehouse team dedicates several weeks to packing these special boxes – you can see me on the production line a few years ago in this video. Our effort was supported by over 500 individual and corporate volunteers who helped hand-deliver these packages to meal recipients throughout the city.

Each night this week, I will think of them and wish them Chag Sameach – a joyous festival!