During the week preceding Shavuot, Shearit Ha-Plate of Bergen County sponsored a collection of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and dried fruit and nuts, as a way of honoring the memory of congregant Mishel Greenberg, z”l.

The idea came about at Mishel’s funeral, when Rabbi Rothwachs shared that Mishel was very troubled that the modern celebration of Shavuot, Chag Habikkurim, seems to place insufficient emphasis on what was once a key aspect of this major holiday. Rabbi Rothwachs said he totally agreed with Mishel, but did not have a satisfactory practical response.

Since both Mishel and his wife, Bernice, have been such strong supporters of Shearit Ha-Plate, and cherished their relationship with the organization, it made sense that a bikkurim drive would be a way to respond to Mishel posthumously. The beautiful collection table and artistic signs created by the Greenberg/Friedman family were set up in the lobby of Beth Aaron, and each day Shearit Ha-Plate emptied the baskets and distributed the offerings to its 60 weekly recipients.

The drive was enriched even further by Valerie Kahn, who organized the pre-K of RYNJ to collect dried fruit. Ellen Friedman visited the children right before Shavuot to share memories of her father and to bring their collection back to Shearit Ha-Plate.