For Greta Smilan, an immigrant from the Former Soviet Union, Passover is one of the most significant holidays for her and her multigenerational family. And it is thanks to the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia that she is able to celebrate the holiday through the food she receives from its Mitzvah Food Program.

“Since we observe the kosher laws, food items get really expensive, and the Passover ones, even more so,” explained Smilan, who came to the United States in the 1970s. “Any help during this time is so much more valuable, that it cannot be put into words! And the fact that it is prepared for you and ready to pick up shows care and concern from the program's staff.”

Smilan is one out of 887 individuals this year to receive a Passover meal box from the Mitzvah Food Program. The boxes include kosher matzo, matzo ball soup, grape juice, honey, borscht, gefilte fish, and, for the first time, chicken, which the Mitzvah Food Program included this year due to feedback from clients that they would be otherwise unable to afford due to rising costs. Other Passover staples, such as gefilte fish and matzo, also incurred increases in cost.

“It’s an expensive holiday, so any assistance is helpful for clients,” said Harriet B., last name withheld for privacy, a client of the Mitzvah Food Program. “It’s essential that families have the needed food to celebrate.”

Ensuring that all individuals can observe the Jewish holidays, regardless of economic background, is a priority of the Jewish Federation’s. That’s why, in addition to the Mitzvah Food Program, the Jewish Federation provides funding to direct service agencies that provide food assistance.

"The support of the Jewish Federation makes it possible for us to bring Passover essentials to thousands of households who might otherwise struggle to celebrate,” said Tara Cherwony, director of Development and Leadership Initiatives at the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA). “The Jewish Federation's investment in JRA directly strengthens our mission to care for neighbors in need and keep our community connected to tradition."

According to Cherwony, the cost of Passover food items rose by about 15% over last year. This year, JRA packed and delivered 3,200 boxes of Passover pantry staples, which prioritized more cost-effective items.

KleinLife, the community center in the Northeast, is another organization that receives year-round support from the Jewish Federation and will be providing Kosher for Passover meals to 600 people in-need, including deliveries to homebound individuals.

In addition to providing individualized meals, KleinLife also hosts a Passover Seder to bring the community together.

“The support of the Jewish Federation makes it possible for KleinLife to bring the warmth and tradition of a Passover Seder to our community each year,” said Andre Krug, president and CEO of KleinLife. “This partnership ensures that seniors, adults with disabilities and families with younger children can come together as one community to celebrate, remember, and feel connected during this meaningful holiday.”

For Sharon L., last name withheld for anonymity, annually joining this community-wide Seder at KleinLife connects her to her late mother.

“My parents always made Passover special and passed this tradition down to me. My Mother was a member at KleinLife for years,” said Sharon L. Now, since she’s gone, coming to the Seder at KleinLife is important for me. It helps me to honor my mom’s memory and keep the tradition alive.”

At Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, which also receives funding from the Jewish Federation, the organization will be hosting three specialized Seders in addition to providing 469 clients with Kosher for Passover food – an annual initiative with Project HOPE – and 92 clients with grocery store gift cards.

The three Seders will serve 220 people and are respectively curated for members of the LGBTQ+ community, Holocaust Survivors and their families, and, in partnership with Jewish Federation-supported Tikvah, individuals of the disability community.

“We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for their ongoing support of our mission which allows us to serve children, families, and individuals in need,” said Courtney Owen, LCSW, Chief Program Officer.

For Whitney Drukier, operations manager of the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program, the need is greater than any one organization can fulfill.

“At the Jewish Federation, we are not only thinking about our work, but also the entire ecosystem of direct service support,” said Drukier of Mitzvah Food Program, which will also be sponsoring a Seder for 100 community members and clients at Congregation Tifereth Israel.
“Beyond funding, we collaborate with partner agencies and organizations to ensure individuals receive the full spectrum of support they need, so that no one goes hungry or is unable to practice their faith due to lack of access.”

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If you are in need of food assistance or would like to support this work, email info@jewishphilly.org or call 215.832.0500.