Modesto synagogue shows thanks to first responders with Christmas meals
MODESTO — A Modesto synagogue is spreading holiday cheer by giving thanks to first responders.
For the last 17 years, Joyce Gandelman has coordinated making and delivering Christmas meals for first responders, but serving nearly 300 meals requires days of preparation — and help from her fellow members of Congregation Beth Shalom.
For over ten years, congregation member Keith Highet has been helping Gandelman by delivering food on Christmas Day, with help from his two sons — Oliver and Hunter.
"As Jews, we don't really have much planned on Christmas Day, so this is kind of a nice opportunity, you know?" Highet said.
He added, "We call it in Judaism, we call it like it's like a mitzvah, which means a good deed. It's a great opportunity to do a mitzvah, a good deed."
This year, the family is making two stops: juvenile hall and the Modesto Police Department.
"They're out here, you know, doing something for our community, and it just feels like a nice opportunity each year just to show a little bit more appreciation," Highet said.
"They're very appreciative, and every year, I think 'Is this our last year? Is this our last year?' And then they keep saying how much they appreciate it, so we do it for another year," Gandelman said.
The congregation served all of Modesto's first responders as well as two dozen elderly community members.