Federation coordinates Dallas kosher food distribution in Metairie
By ALAN SMASON, Exclusive to the CCJN
Jesse Shamka normally works in the kitchen at Kosher Palate supervising the kosher food being cooked at his employer Chaim Goldfarb’s Dallas grocery store, upscale restaurant and full-service catering company.
Jesse Shamka, top center, with his driver, upper left, and Federation volunteers at Dallas kosher food giveway on Labor Day, 2021. (Photo from Tana Velen)
His duty this Labor Day morning was anything but ordinary.
With a driver navigating the trip from Dallas, Shamka rode in the cab of a huge 24-foot refrigerated truck fully laden with kosher food prepared by Kosher Palate as well as other Dallas area kosher caterers Simcha, Taste of the World and The Market. In addition to palates of water, honey and apples with which to greet the Jewish New Year, and a variety of kosher cobblers and pies, the Israeli Consulate in Dallas sent over a number of generators for those who are still without power.
A long, serpentine line of cars filled with residents in need of kosher food greeted Shamka and a staff of volunteers coordinated by Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans representatives Tana Velen and Garrett Moore. The monumental effort began at 9 a.m. and concluded shortly after 12 noon, a joint project between the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas.
The 24-foot long refrigerated truck came as part of a joint project between the Dallas and New Orleans federations. (Photo by Alan Smason)
New Orleans Federation CEO and president Arnie Fielkow and Dallas Federation COO and vice president Gary Wolff worked out the details over the phone last week just after the storm had passed. Fielkow put staffers Velen and Moore in charge of the project, despite the fact Velen had evacuated to Houston and had no power in her home.
But, as fate would have it, the power was restored to her residence last night several hours before she had to arrive at the Goldring-Woldenberg Campus in Metairie, the home to the local Federation offices, the Metairie JCC and the Jewish Community Day School.
“We served over 75 people on the ground here and we also gave away, I think, 25 meals away to the Chabad (of Metairie),” Velen said after the distribution was over. “It went really well.”
Two volunteers she had not expected showed up to help with the giveaway of food for which she was very thankful.
Prior to the truck’s arrival, the menus had been planned by the Dallas caterers. Monday night’s dinner included Salmon Gefilte Fish, Pomegranate Glazed Bone-in Chicken with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Mashed Potatotes with Sauteed Leeks, Glazed Carrots with Dates and Cole Slaw.
In addition to the Jewish Federations of Greater Dallas and Greater New Orleans and the catering companies, other sponsors included the Texas Jewish Community Response, the Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas (whose truck was used) and Benny’s Bagels and Deli. The kosher food was supervised by Dallas Kosher, also known as Vaad Hakashrus of Dallas. Their hechsher is also known as “KD.”
“We had set up four tables. All of the meals were divided by the two different dinners including a two lunches in there and we took one of everything, threw it in a box and put it in people’s cars along with a jug of water and a jug of (grape) juice,” Velen added.
Janaoh Murphy, a utility lineman from Chicago, grabs some of the kosher food distributed at the Metairie Goldring-Woldenberg Campus. (Photo by Alan Smason)
In addition to the regular menu items, there were a number of side items and desserts.
“Everything we gave away came from them. Their generosity was unbelievable that they did this,” Velen concluded.
By the end of the distribution effort, there were still a number of food items available. Volunteers caught the attention of a crew of utility linemen from Chicago, who were busy working across the West Esplanade Canal attempting to restore power to businesses and residences on that side of the canal.
Janoah Murphy, head of the crew, came over to the distribution site with his truck and picked up several leftover food items to give to crew members.
At the same time on Labor Day, a similar kosher food distribution was being given out at the Btesh Family Chabad House on Freret Street for people unable to join the in-person Rosh Hashanah services being hosted there and who wished to enjoy kosher meals in their own homes.
