Did you see anyone shaking a box of pasta in shul on Purim? Thanks to the generosity of the Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, New Milford and Teaneck communities, 832 “Pasta Graggers” aka containers of food were collected and donated to Tomchei Shabbos and the Jewish Federation March Mega Food Drive!

This idea originated in the Great Neck Synagogue and was implemented in Bergen County this year by the Middle School Chesed Committee, which is run by parent volunteers including Aliza Fischman and Dalia Stelzer. Parent volunteer Judi Dimbert designed the beautiful flyer seen around town promoting the campaign. Dalia shared, “We are always looking for ways to incorporate chesed into everyday life and this was a creative opportunity to do so. The Pasta Gragger campaign on Purim was a great way to raise awareness about the importance of feeding hungry families in Bergen County.”

The seventh-grade Bnei Mitzvah at Yeshivat Noam decided to take on this mitzvah. Students signed up to volunteer with the help of their parents and within each of their respective shuls to spread the idea of “Pasta Graggers” facilitating the Marbeh of Mitzvos—accomplishing two mitzvot at the same time! Students were responsible for publicizing, announcing, collecting and dropping off the food items that were collected in their shuls.

Kol Hakavod to students (and their dedicated parents): Ariella Addi, Bari Diamond, Tiferet Fishman, Gabriella Forman, Isaac Goldin, Talia and Yaakov Halstuch, Ziva Kaye, Ayelet Kurz, Temima Macklin, Yehuda Mazin, Aviva Saks, Asher Rauzman, Daniella Rothschild, Talia Sperber and Ariella Vogel, with special mention to Chananel Chudnoff.

Much gratitude to the participating shuls: Beth Aaron, Beth Abraham, Bnai Yeshurun, Keter Torah, Ohr HaTorah, Rinat Yisrael, Shaarei Tefillah, Shomrei Torah, Young Israel of Teaneck, and the Yeshivat Noam Eighth-Grade Megillah reading.