Over the last 18 years, thousands of Jewish volunteers from Greater Boston area synagogues and Jewish organizations have participated in “Project Ezra.” 

Project Ezra is the annual volunteer program sponsored by the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts and provides volunteers to help staff shelters, soup kitchens, nursing homes and hospitals during the holiday season.

On Christmas Day, Temple Beth Am’s Brotherhood, under the supervision of Howard Newell and his Kitchen Crew, led volunteers in preparing and serving Christmas dinner at the Salvation Army in Framingham.  

The volunteers included more than 40 members of the Temple Beth Am community, and other local residents who chose to spend Christmas Day helping others.  Over 100 meals were served at the Salvation Army’s Concord Street location and another 25 meals were delivered by volunteers to shut-ins in Framingham, Ashland and Natick.

The Brotherhood Kitchen Crew prepared gallons of turkey soup for the guests, with some to be saved and served at future meals. In all, 14 turkeys were roasted and carved. Turkey dinner with stuffing, gravy, potatoes, vegetables and salad was served to each guest.   Dessert included an assortment of pies provided by the Salvation Army. 

In addition, Brotherhood provided the ingredients for ice cream sundaes, including hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkles to be enjoyed by the guests. 

For information on other volunteer/donation opportunities at the Salvation Army, please contact Major Jackie Triston or Judy MacPherson at 508-875-3341.