Report from Captain Sarita Eisenberg:

The kitchen stayed cool at the MESH Café on Tuesday as we served a dinner of mostly leftovers, allowing Chef Lynne Kurzweill to wear seasonable appropriate long sleeves. We served 24 guests and prepared four takeaway meals.

The meal started with a freshly made tomato vegetable soup – good to the last drop, with not a smidge leftover. That was followed by leftovers from the Women’s Seder on Sunday: a kale salad with apples, craisins, and roasted pecans plus a touch of mango salsa to add sweetness; salmon topped with a horseradish crust and accompanied by roasted grape tomatoes; and a quinoa vegetable salad.

But the best use of leftovers was the apple crisp Lynne made from the chunky apple-nut charoses left over from the seder. This was accompanied by strawberries and grapes, also leftover from the seder.

Assisting in the kitchen and with serving were our trio of enthusiastic tweens – Orly, Elana, and Jonah – together with Lou Hammerman and MESH staffers Adrienne, Bonnie and Joe. Teens Louis, Matt, Max, and Kendall, and Amalia were on hand to provide some additional hands for serving and cleaning up.

It was a fun night.

About MESH:

The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei (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?

Contact:
Email Lynne Kurzweil or call (973)746-0816
Email Aileen Grossberg or call (973) 744-3836