By Jason Scheer
On Sunday, April 17, the Nassau-Suffolk Region of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization hosted its annual Spring Project Hope food drive. Participants gathered early in the morning in a Syosset warehouse and bagged tons of groceries that would eventually be delivered to older residents who could not afford to pay for holiday groceries or shop for themselves.
Members of BBYO, a Jewish organization open to students in grades eight through 12, crowded the Syosset facility. Like an old-fashioned assembly line, they picked up items, everything from matzo to Manischewitz, and put them into bags. After the groceries were bagged, the volunteers packed up cars and headed out to make deliveries.
Fran Haskell, the regional director of BBYO, said that Project Hope exemplifies the giving nature of the organization. "This is truly a mitzvah," she said. "There are so many people who need food but can't afford it or can't go out and get it. Today, though, we can really help people celebrate the holiday."
Amanda Abrahams, a junior at Oceanside High School, is the regional n'siah (president) of the Nassau Suffolk B'Nai Brith Girls. She said she has been participating in Project Hope since becoming a member of BBYO in eighth grade and feels it is truly a memorable, and worthwhile, experience. "I think it's great, because the kids get the opportunity to speak with people and put a smile on their faces," Abrahams said. "I think it's a great feeling for all of us to help somebody out."
During the deliveries, Abrahams said she forms a special bond with the older residents she visits. "The people that we deliver to, most of the time, don't get visited that often," she said. "They like to hug us and tell us how much they appreciate us."
Baldwin High School junior Brian Rosen is the godol (president) of Aleph Zadek Aleph, the boys' portion of the organization. He echoed Abrahams' sentiments. "This is our [opportunity] to give people the chance to participate in the holiday," he said.
Rosen acknowledges that teenagers are busy, with SATs, finals and social obligations. However, he said that sacrificing a Sunday morning is well worth the reward. "It really only takes one morning of two hours to really give back and make a difference," he said. "It's important that you take the two hours out to change lives and help other people who can't help themselves.
"Over the years, it's really changed the lives of a lot of people, and has given the joys of the Jewish holiday to many."
Photos by Jason Scheer/Herald
Comments about this story? JScheer@liherald.com or (516)569-4000 ext. 282.
