Circle of Hope Hosting Kosher Culinary Classes for Teens

Cooking for Hope to Distribute Food to People in Need

On April 29th, Circle of Hope is hosting  its second monthly “Cooking for Hope” series of classes where teens will learn to cook various Jewish foods, and then bring their creations to people in need. The new program is being launched in conjunction with CTeen.

“Cooking for Hope is an amazing opportunity for our community’s teens to come together for an incredible cause,” said Michele Krebs Moscovitz, Circle of Hope coordinator. “We hope that the program will enable us to continue our much-needed support for people in our community who are suffering from illnesses.”

During each session, teens will have the opportunity to learn to cook a variety of Kosher dishes, from soups to kugels to rugelach, all the while bringing hope and happiness to those coping with illness. Merrick resident Sheri Fisch will lead the cooking instruction and demonstration each month  At the first session, teens learned to make savory and sweet dishes like gefilte fish and hamantashen, before dropping off the food to families in need. 

Circle of Hope, a project of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, is a non-profit organization that provides awareness , emotional support and hands-on help  to individuals and their families coping with breast cancer and other illnesses.

“The best part of Cooking for Hope is that after the teens learn to cook and bake, they can personally deliver the dishes to community members who are not well,” said Moscovitz. “A cheerful visit with a home-cooked care package can do wonders.”

Circle of Hope offers services such as support groups for those who are ill to discuss their shared experiences, as well as educational health seminars for the community. It also provides kosher meals, helps those who cannot afford their course of treatment and provides summer camp scholarships for the children of patients. It is also home to a wig bank where those losing their hair can choose a wig to wear during the course of their treatment.

Cooking for Hope will take place from 7-9 pm at 2083 Seneca Gate, Merrick. The dates for the 2014 monthly cooking sessions are May 13, June 10, July 8, August 6, and  September 9, 2014.

No previous cooking experience is required to participate!