Anshe Chesed Hosts Intergenerational Sandwich Making for JFS of Central Jersey
09/16/2025 11:01:42 AM
On Tuesday, September 2 at noon, the social hall of Congregation Anshe Chesed was alive with energy as more than 300 sandwiches were prepared for the Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Central Jersey Food Pantry.
The program, designed as an intergenerational project of giving, brought together long time members, parents, teens, and children. After enjoying delicious pizza from Linden Corner Slice, volunteers donned gloves and carefully spread peanut butter and layered raspberry and strawberry jam on a total of 600 slices of bread. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as families worked side by side, pairing seasoned members of the congregation with young helpers in a warm buddy system.
“This is a win win,” said Rabbi Yosef Katz. “The kids were out of the house on a day with no school, volunteering while learning and gaining from the experience of our senior members. Plus, there was pizza and you can never go wrong with pizza.”
Zeci, a second grader and enthusiastic participant, shared with a grin, “It was so much fun because we got to make sandwiches, although I did catch my little brother taking a bite out of one of the sandwiches, so I guess he enjoyed it differently than I did.”
Anshe Chesed’s partnership with JFS encompassing programs such as Tomchi Shabbos, Kosher Meals on Wheels, and mental health counseling, while also connecting Anshe Chesed’s members to essential community resources. This collaboration has only grown stronger under the leadership of their new Executive Director, Rabbi Russ Shulkes, MSW.
When the last sandwich was wrapped and packed, everyone felt the satisfaction of a job well done. More than just a service project, the event highlighted the beauty of community, different generations joining forces to help neighbors in need and to strengthen the bonds within the Anshe Chesed family.
The sandwiches were delivered to JFS of Central Jersey later that day, ensuring that local families facing food insecurity would benefit immediately from the collective effort. It was a simple act with a lasting impact, reflecting the synagogue’s ongoing commitment to caring for and supporting the wider community.