Meaningful Mitzvot – Day 15

15 Elul 5773
By Monica Engel

The sounds of laughter and chatter.  The words of praise and gratitude.  The awe and intimidation of what began as a seedling and developed into a bouquet.  These are the echoes of Mitzvah Meals and what it means for those on both sides of the table:

The bounty we receive from Trader Joe’s in the morning  prompts discussion and ignites the creativity of our cooks who decide what’s on the menu today and results in nourishing the needy we serve lunch and dinner.

The father who couldn’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than to cook with his children for Mitzvah Meals and the folks who praised the gourmet meal they cooked.

A mother and daughter who continued to volunteer to cook after completing her Bat Mitzvah community service obligation because they had so much fun together and the mother who lives in a shelter and expressed surprise when she heard Mitzvah Meals was a Jewish program.  She thought only Christians volunteered.

A senior congregant who derives joy from seeing the contentment in the faces of those she has served dinner and a young Religious School student who is excited with the results of a fruit salad he made.