BY MOUSSIE FRIEDMAN with Photos Courtesy of The Chelsea Shul | November 12, 2024:  More than 100 people gathered at The Chelsea Hall event space (236 W. 23rd St.) to celebrate the official launch of The Chelsea Giving Kitchen, which has been providing food and other resources to local homebound residents—including Holocaust survivors—since March 2020.

The evening was filled with caring and camaraderie as community members enjoyed a hands-on cooking demonstration given by food writer and photographer—and author—Chani Apfelbaum (@busyinbrooklyn).

Participants savored the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones as they seeded pomegranates, juiced lemons, and chopped salad ingredients for Apfelbaum’s Farro Salad. Making the experience even sweeter was knowing that the fruits of their labor would soon be delivered to elderly survivors, many of whom live at or below the poverty line.

In addition to a festive cocktail hour, the evening included inspiring words from social media personality Ted Zahr and The Chelsea Giving Kitchen’s founding partner, Elena Sapir. Both credited The Chelsea Giving Kitchen with enhancing the quality of life of the community’s senior members by ensuring they have nutritious kosher food and the resources to make the most of their golden years.

Chezky Wolff (Rabbi, The Chelsea Shul) provided some food for thought, encouraging those present to go the extra mile for the community’s members. “There are so many ways to meaningfully impact the lives of our community’s most precious treasures,” said Rabbi Wolff. “Volunteering with The Chelsea Giving Kitchen is an exceptionally rewarding experience, whether through holiday meals, birthday parties, donation drives, or other opportunities.”

That message resonated strongly with those in attendance. Many expressed interest in joining The Chelsea Giving Kitchen team, which has served more than 10,000 meals to hundreds of Manhattan-based survivors since its founding nearly five years ago.

The Chelsea Giving Kitchen’s next event will be held on December 11. For details, send an email to Chezkywolff@gmail.com.

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