COA’s kosher meal milestone
Harry Lewis received COA Sydney’s one-millionth Kosher Meals on Wheels delivery since the vital volunteer-run service began 35 years ago.
IT was a simple choice of baked salmon or roast chicken for -89-year-old Bondi resident Harry Lewis last Friday, but it represented so much more.
“I think I’ll have chicken today,” he said, receiving what turned out to be COA Sydney’s one-millionth Kosher Meals on Wheels delivery since the vital volunteer-run service began 35 years ago.
A past president of The Great Synagogue, Lewis was chuffed to accept the milestone meal from -long-serving volunteer Lou Levi, describing it as “an amazing number”.
“The food is very good and they [volunteers] are always very friendly,” Lewis said.
Levi said he enjoys “shmoozing” as much as the clients, and values being able to brighten up the day for many elderly Jews, many of whom are Holocaust survivors.
“This service is much more than delivering a meal; many of the clients like to chat and reminisce – that social connection is very important for them,” he said.
Often, the volunteers offer to lend a helping hand around the home, bring a challah for Shabbat, and check if everything’s okay.
COA Sydney’s social workers can provide further assistance if needed.
Zelda Feigen, who was one of the service’s first volunteer deliverers and remains involved in an administrative capacity today, came to watch the special occasion.
“It’s such a pity the founder of COA, Myer Kangan, is not alive now to see what’s happened,” Feigen said.
“The spirit among the volunteers is as strong as ever.
“The service has grown so much and, probably, not many people know of the logistics of what’s involved to make it all actually happen.”
COA Sydney chief executive Julia Golding said Kosher Meals on Wheels is the backbone of the organisation and the reason why it formed.
“In 1982 a small team of volunteers delivered 700 kosher meals per year, and demand was so huge that by 1986 there were 18,000 deliveries,” she said.
“Today we have a team of 50 active volunteers who deliver well over 20,000 meals per year.
“There are nine delivery runs – mainly in the eastern suburbs, north shore and inner city – and we use three kosher caterers.”
The service is made possible, and kept affordable for clients, due to generous donations from the community, and funding from the state and federal governments and the Conference on Material Claims Against Germany.
“The dedication of the volunteers is so important – the service would simply not be possible without them,” Golding said.
To find out more about Kosher Meals on Wheels or volunteering opportunities, phone COA Sydney on (02) 9389 0035.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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