Helping the community enjoy Passover

Two tons of kosher food were delivered to the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC Sustenance Center, on March 20, just in time for Passover, which begins on March 30. The donation, from Stop & Shop, was originally scheduled to be delivered on March 13, but was postponed due to a snowstorm. This delivery was made one day ahead of another storm.

The Sustenance Hope Opportunities Place (S.H.O.P.) at 580 Central Ave. in Cedarhurst, is roughly 2,500-square-feet and is run by two employees and several volunteers. A grand opening was held on March 18. The center is an expanded version of the Gural JCC’s Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry that was in Woodmere, which served almost 350 families, according to the Jock’s Executive Director Amy Misery.

“We are sincerely thankful to Stop & Shop for their generous donation of food,” she said, about the donation of food. “And for making it possible for the entire community to share the joy of Passover.”

Carmine Verdi no, who manages the Stop & Shop in Inwood, spoke at a news conference, as did local elected officials, rabbis and those who have been assisted by the Jock’s food pantry, which is the largest kosher pantry on Long Island. “It was just the known need [for donated food for Passover],” that sparked the decision to donate, Verdi no said. “Stop & Shop works closely with the Jewish community.”

Cedarhurst resident Marc Berlin, was among those to speak about how the JCC has helped him both after losing his job eight years ago, and more recently, and then losing both his mother and father in the past year. “I try to volunteer here at the center,” he said. “The center helps people like me and others tremendously, especially around Passover, because when prices for Passover items get costly the center ensures that people in similar situations to me are provided the food items for Passover.”

The Sustenance Center also has clothing available for those who need it. Misery believes that walking through the new center like any other supermarket allows, “those in need [to shop] without ever having to check their dignity at the door,” she said.

The S.H.O.P. is the JCC’s new social services hub, offering perishable and non-perishable food, clothing, onsite social work services even computers for the clients to use. JCC officials said they consider it, “a beautiful, dignified environment to better serve members of our community who need a helping hand.”

“Some people find it difficult to give,” said Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock, “but everyone finds it hard to take. The food pantry makes it possible to accept help without compromising one's personal dignity and self-worth. The facility and program are designed to allow clients to ‘shop’ for groceries discretely.” 

To use the S.H.O.P.’s services, volunteer, organize a food drive or donate, call the JCC at (516) 569-6733.