In 1993, Chico Bomchel (of blessed memory) began serving meals to those in need at Grace Episcopal in Woodlawn. Chico himself had been a recipient of those meals, and when he was able to provide for others, he did so for many years. Eva Wilensky worked alongside Chico for many of those years, helping to organize the collection of food from local stores and leading volunteers from the Jewish community in cooking and serving them on Easter and Christmas. Eventually, Debby Thomas (of blessed memory) took over this effort and led it for many years. During the global pandemic and since, volunteers from Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El have partnered with The Fish Market/Yellow Bicycle Catering, Omni Foods, Bud’s Best Cookies, Milo’s Tea and other local businesses that have helped us provide these meals through gifts in kind or significant discounts. 

To continue the tradition serving our neighbors observing Easter, join volunteers from Temples Emanu-El & Temple Beth-El and CJFS for Easter lunch and at First Light Shelter, a homelessness stable emergency shelter. 

Thanks to Temple Emanu-El Feeding the Hungry Fund (formerly Community Kitchens), the Temple Beth-El Chico Bomchel Food Insecurity Fund, and the Edward & Hermione Friend Community Fund of the Grafman Endowment Fund for supporting this project. If you would like to make a monetary contribution to this event and future community service projects of this nature, please send your donation to the forementioned funds.