PASCACK VALLEY—Local high school teens from the Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative joined forces with Wegmans in Montvale on April 7 to provide Passover food packages for seniors and families in need. The event saw young volunteers coming together to pack boxes filled with essentials for the upcoming holiday.
Rabbi Yosef Orenstein of the Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative emphasized the significance of Passover as a time of joy and family bonding. He also highlighted the harsh reality that many families in the community continue to face financial challenges.
“Passover is a time of joy and family time,” Rabbi Orenstein told Pascack Press on April 10. “Unfortunately, a number of families are still struggling in our community. The teens hope to uplift their spirit with these gift packages and notes of kindness.”
The partnership between Valley Chabad and Wegmans has been a consistent source of support for the local community, with Wegmans generously contributing to this initiative for several years.
The boxes, filled with essential Passover items, were donated locally and are set to be distributed by Jewish Family Services of Bergen County, ensuring that those in need receive assistance during the holiday season.
Beyond the act of giving, the event also served as an educational opportunity for the teens involved. They learned about the tradition of making handmade matzah, a symbolic element of the Passover observance, and even had the chance to try their hand at making it themselves. (The matzah produced during the event was intended for demonstration purposes only and not for use during the holiday.)
Passover, an eight-day celebration commemorating the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt, holds significant cultural and religious importance within the Jewish community. This year, Passover begins on Monday evening, April 22, with highlights including the traditional Passover seder dinners held on the first two evenings of the holiday.
Valley Chabad is involved in facilitating Passover observances within the community, offering handmade Shmura Matzah to local Jewish families and hosting Passover seders. Further information about these initiatives can be found on the organization’s website, valleychabad.org.
The Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative has been a cornerstone of community engagement for over 15 years, providing educational, social, and community service opportunities for local Jewish teens. With approximately 150 teens participating in various activities both in-person and virtually, the initiative continues to foster a sense of belonging and responsibility within the Pascack Valley and Saddle River communities. Importantly, these programs are open to all, with no affiliation or membership requirements.
For more information visit valleychabadteens.org or call (201) 476-0157.
“Passover is a time of joy and family,” Rabbi Orenstein says. “Unfortunately, a number of families are still struggling in our community. The teens hope to uplift their spirit with these gift packages and notes of kindness.”