The Project Ezrah Purim project is in full swing. The excitement of preparing 7,000 mishloach manot for our community can be felt throughout the halls at Ben Porat Yosef.

Once again, the school has graciously provided space and, more importantly, the time of their wonderful students who love to do chesed. The energy in the school is amazing—from the teachers, administration and children. Project Ezrah feels so at home in our pop-up mishloach manot factory. Over the last week and a half we have prepared and routed the mishloach manot that will be all around Bergen County on Purim day. The last piece of our project, which always requires a strong recruiting effort, is to identify volunteers who are willing to deliver routes on Purim day. We have had a great response so far from our board members to students, rabbis and families. For many families, delivering Project Ezrah mishloach manot as a family has become a Purim tradition. It’s a great way to teach children about doing chesed on Purim as well as enjoying giving and getting mishloach manot. Remembering our toughest year to date was when it snowed on Purim day (and children used sleds to get the Project Ezrah mishloach manot to every family), this year it appears it will be a nice day with mild temperatures, which makes the delivering a wonderful chesed opportunity for the family.

To get involved and help out, please contact Michal Grossman, 516-320-5241, Saturday night or Sunday a.m.

Jeff Mendelson is the director of financial www.management/assistance.