Report from Captain Stuart Green:

On a sultry Tuesday evening in late May, the Carol Starr MESH cafe hosted 22 guests. Naturally, given temperatures in the nineties, it was just the time for the walk-in refrigerator to go on the fritz. A refrigerator repair man worked on it diligently until he cut his finger and had to go to the emergency room (he apparently will be okay). Another refrigerator repair man showed up and provided a temporary fix. Lisa Zelenetz stuck through it all.

Our chef was Sarita Eisenberg. The main course consisted of lox quiche, with a side corn kugel and roasted broccoli and carrots. Aileen Grossberg made corn chowder. Other food — including chick pea salad, tomato and cucumber salad, brownies, and fruit salad, as well as the lox for the quiche and the corn kugel — was repurposed from the recent bat mitzvah lunch for Delia Kravitz.

Chief dish and bottle washer extraordinaire was Lou Hammerman. The meal was served by super teen Sarah, with help from MESH employees Adrienne, Joe, and Mary. It was a challenging but ultimately successful effort from the MESH team.

About MESH:

The MESH Cafe (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless) is a cooperative effort between the MESH organization and local synagogues and churches.  Volunteers at each institution cook and serve hearty, nutritious meals for the hungry. Shomrei’s turn is on Tuesday nights. A good meal, and perhaps as important, social interaction and companionship offer respite to those who need it. Please help fulfill this crucial mitzvah by volunteering.

To sign up to help, go to shomrei.org/mesh.

Have questions?