COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes financial
and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical
priorities locally, in Israel and around the world.

“We both were born in Philadelphia
s Passover nears, continually
and, as a result, we take a great deal of
rising food prices and expir-
pride in our ability to service our fellow
ing Supplemental Nutrition
Philadelphia neighbors as well as the
Assistance Program benefi ts beg
surrounding communities,” said Leo
local Jewish organizations to ask
and Seth Schwartzberg, who are the
a fi fth question this year: How is
fourth-generation owners of Kosher
it possible to ensure that all who
Mart Foods.

celebrate have access to matzah,
MFP clients have noted their grati-
maror and a hearty holiday meal?
tude for the Passover provisions that
According to the Department of
will help them participate in their
Agriculture, the cost of groceries was
holiday customs.

11.3% higher in December 2022 than
“In celebrating Passover, I am continu-
in January 2022. Kosher for Passover
ing the tradition that has been passed
foods, which are historically already
on to me by previous generations,”
more costly than non-hectured
expressed one of MFP’s clients, who
foods, are expected to rise this
wished to remain anonymous. “I still
Passover season as well. This comes
remember my grandmother opening
at a critical time for those receiving
a special set of dishes and preparing
assistance through SNAP benefi ts
Volunteers Terry
Hartley and
Marya Margolis
delivered Passover
packages from
for the seder. I cannot imagine break-
because $2.5 billion of the program’s
the Jewish
Federation’s Mitzvah
Food Program.

ing this [tradition], and I’m grateful for
emergency pandemic allocations will
MFP’s support because it means I
expire nationwide this month.

don’t have to.”
With all these strains on local
In addition
to providing
kosher food
during major Jewish holidays, like Passover
families’ budgets, the ability to express religious freedom by observing holidays
and Rosh Hashanah, MFP works to combat food insecurity all year round for all
with traditional foods is appearing more like a privilege instead of a right.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Food Program is who are hungry, regardless of race, religion or fi nancial background. This past
working to ensure that this basic freedom remains a right by off ering free Passover year, MFP provided 904,908 pounds of food to 4,055 clients with the help of local
volunteers. foods to those in need.

“When I deliver food packages, it brings me great joy to know that those in
“It is imperative that we are able to provide our Jewish clients with as much as
we can during the High Holidays and Passover to ensure that our clients are able need will have enough to eat for the coming weeks,” said MFP volunteer Mitchell
to celebrate their faith,” said Whitney Drukier, the Jewish Federation’s MFP opera- Benson, who also serves on the Jewish Federation’s endowment committee.

tions manager. “By providing staple kosher for Passover foods, we are helping to “These Passover provisions show MFP’s clients that we are here and we care.”
In addition to supporting MFP as an internal program, the Jewish Federation
add to these families’ seder dinners commemorating the liberation from slavery
granted $2.6 million this year through the Jewish Community Fund, unrestricted
and honoring the history of their ancestors.”
To honor this history, MFP has partnered with Philabundance and Kosher Mart giving, toward caring for those in need locally and overseas – one of its main
Foods to provide more than $25,000 worth of kosher for Passover goods to pillars. This includes organizations that fi ght food insecurity, like the Jewish Relief
Agency and KleinLife which will also provide kosher for Passover food to Greater
families in need in the Greater Philadelphia area.

“It’s our ultimate goal to make sure the diverse communities we serve feel like Philadelphia area families this spring.

“Jewish teachings and values direct us to care for those in need in our commu-
their cultures and traditions are refl ected in how we support them,” noted a repre-
sentative from Philabundance. “Our neighbors deserve the right to receive cultur- nity, and during this unprecedented time of infl ation in food costs, it is incumbent
for the Jewish community to provide for those who can't aff ord to fi ll up their seder
ally relevant foods they are accustomed to.”
This Passover, Philabundance showcased its support by gifting $8,300 in ACME plates,” explained Brian Gralnick, the Jewish Federation’s director of local grants
gift cards, which will be distributed at all four of MFP’s pantries across the region. and partnerships. “People don’t stop being hungry during the holidays.”
*** MFP is also using $17,000 of its annual funds to order Passover supplies from
For more information about the Mitzvah Food Program, visit jewishphilly.

Kosher Mart Foods, including Kedem grape juice, matzah, honey, gefi lte fi sh and
org/mfp, email mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org or call 215-832-0509.

borscht, for their Jewish clients.

12 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
A The Fifth Question: How to Ensure
All Have a Meal This Passover?