Sometimes, as we learn from cactus plants, the stress of a hot dry climate is sometimes what creates an optimum environment for growth. As we navigate together through this highly stressful time in our history, never have we had more access to the technology that can enable us to communicate and manage ourselves better under such stressful conditions. While relatively few of us have lived during previous world crises of this magnitude, no one has ever had the types of opportunities to be proactive on such a large scale as we now have. The convergence of our creativity and the ease of access to technology can and already is making a substantial and positive difference to so many, so quickly. Apart, we are still able to stay connected in meaningful and powerful ways.
A new app makes it easy to find and interface with the kosher food service industry in Bergen County, Manhattan and Great Neck during the already stressful days approaching Pesach, and beyond. Co-creators of the app, “openduringcovid19,” Esti and Dovid Baum are excited to offer this app to the community at no charge to either the restaurants or the end users. “While stuck in our parents’ house in quarantine, we decided to do something to try and help out our favorite part of the community,” said Dovid. “So we put our backgrounds together—I on the technology/design development (side) and Esti with marketing and relations. Together we are filling in the data, contacting restaurants and updating the app daily.”
The Link asked about the selection process for restaurants. “We want to be inclusive to all restaurants. We found directories online and personally called each restaurant that’s on the app, and wanted to make sure to include only restaurants that are open.”
If you download the app, you will find contact information for each restaurant; their hours of operation; delivery and pick-up information, including if they have a curbside pick-up option; and any other information they want customers to know.
Asked about what they anticipate after Pesach, Dovid remarked that, “Restaurants such as Sammy’s, Noah’s Ark and Chickies have contacted us telling us how the app has helped their business. People of all ages have contacted us telling us they exclusively use our app to make deliveries during (the) COVID-19 (crisis). Therefore we plan on continuously updating our app after Pesach. It is impossible to determine when the effects of this outbreak will die down.” Esti and Dovid also want to encourage community members to visit the app and use it to help the local restaurants. They also invite restaurant owners to reach out and keep them updated with their latest policies and specials. Now that’s pretty special!
B’tayavon and Chag kasher v’sameach!
By Ellie Wolf
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