Seniors getting Kosher lunches delivered

Jewish community buildings may be closed, but work goes on throughout Rhode Island’s Jewish community.

That work includes continuing to provide meals for the seniors who counted on lunch Monday to Friday at the Kosher senior café at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, or a Friday meal at Temple Sinai, in Cranston.

Those seniors are now receiving box lunches, delivered to their residences Monday to Friday at about the same time – noon – as lunch was served at the meal sites. Ahava Catering continues to prepare the meals. Elaine Shapiro, of Jewish Collaborative Services, and a few dedicated volunteers make the deliveries.

Shapiro said there has been additional interest in the meals during the coronavirus pandemic. They are delivering to about 12 people Monday to Thursday and closer to 20 on Friday.

“We are checking on people,” she said in a phone interview. “I’ve told everybody [the drivers] you have to know that the seniors are in their homes. Then they can leave the meals on the porch.”

She said the meal-site crew is trying to stay in touch with the seniors, most of whom were regular patrons.

The meals are available to anyone age 60 and up for $3. If you would like to order meals, call Shapiro at 401-338-1690 or email Elaine@jfsri.org at least one day in advance. Also contact Shapiro if  you would like to volunteer to deliver meals.

 In addition, Kosher Meals on Wheels is still providing meals to those who are homebound, and there also has been increased interest in this program, according to Shapiro. Right now, Kosher Meals on Wheels delivers to approximately 22 people. Accounting for Taste’s Deb Blazar prepares those meals.

Both programs are part of the Kosher nutrition program at Jewish Collaborative Services.

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.