Traditional Matzah Cookies and Matzebrei

This year, on the eve of Passover, our volunteers prepared something special for their beneficiaries. As part of the “Cooking Together” project, we decided to recreate the beloved tastes of childhood under the guidance of those who remember them best. The volunteer initiative “Jewish Cuisine of My Grandmother” went beyond a regular cooking workshop, turning into traditional kitchen gatherings where different generations prepare festive food together.

Volunteers visited the homes of elderly people living alone, and together with them prepared traditional holiday dishes that usually decorate the Passover table. The menu was truly homemade and included many “grandmother-style” recipes, with matzah as the main ingredient.

Together we cooked fragrant apple kugel, experimented with desserts, and made a delicate lemon cheesecake whose base was also matzah (it turned out to be incredibly tasty!). And of course, there were traditional matzah cookies and golden, fried matzah brei, a recipe that is different in every household.

However, the most important thing for our beneficiaries was not the culinary experience itself, but the opportunity for personal communication with volunteers. Everyone wants to celebrate a holiday at a table full of guests, where warmth is felt and pleasant conversation is shared. It was exactly this joy of connection that our volunteers brought to lonely elderly members of the community. We saw eyes light up where the spark had long faded, and heard joyful voices of those who, due to life circumstances, had become isolated.

Volunteers also received a meaningful gift from interacting with the older generation. It is an invaluable experience that can only be passed from generation to generation. No one teaches tradition better than those who have lived it their entire lives and received it from their ancestors. This initiative reminded us of simple yet fundamental truths: how important it is not to let traditions fade, and how deeply lonely people need not only basic help, but also the chance to be heard.

We thank every volunteer for their dedication to helping and supporting those facing loneliness! You not only helped organize a true festive table, but also ensured the continuous connection of generations and the preservation of traditions. Symbolizing freedom, Passover allowed many to overcome loneliness and melt emotional distance, reminding us that we are one big and caring family!