Shabbat Shalom ~ Ki Tisa 2026

Dear WJC Family, 

“Kol dichfin yeitei v’yeichol — let all who are hungry, come and eat.” This famous phrase from the “Ha Lachma Anya” section of the Haggadah has become more than a symbolic theme of Passover; it has become a distinctive value of the Jewish people. In fact, as early as the time of the Jerusalem Talmud (1600 years ago) there was a practice of collecting money so that those living in poverty could buy matzah. This practice is called maot chittin and still exists today.

For more than two decades our Westchester Jewish Center family has fulfilled the mitzvah of maot hittin by collecting funds for Project Ezra, an amazing organization that depends upon donations from synagogues to provide funds for food to approximately 225 elderly, frail, and often homebound clients on the Lower East Side. 

At WJC we are proud to be part of that effort. Last Passover WJC provided over $11,000 in donations to Project Ezra. Given the increase in the cost of food, we believe that special Passover foods will cost even more this year. Our goal this year is to match or exceed our 2025 donations.

The 2026 WJC-Project Ezra Passover funds collection began on March 1st  and will be delivered in time for checks to be sent to the elders before the holiday. The best way to donate is online by going to www.projectezra.org. Follow directions to donate, noting WJC on your donation.

If you prefer to mail a check, it can be sent directly to Project Ezra, please mark the memo “Passover-WJC member” and mail to: Project Ezra/ 387 Grand Street- Ground Floor/ NY, NY 10002/ Attn. Gerry. Remember, the collection ends March 29th. 

WJC is a mainstay of Project Ezra. They express tremendous gratitude for our caring and generosity now and over the years.

The “Ha Lachma Anya” section concludes, “Now we are here, next year we will be in the Promised Land.” Indeed, may we speedily arrive at the days when no senior will experience food insecurity on Passover or any day—and until then, let us know we have done everything we can to ensure that this Passover fewer of our treasured seniors will know hunger. 

Wishing you a meaningful feast of freedom, 

Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz