Reaching beyond synagogue walls
Reaching beyond synagogue walls: Volunteers deliver loaves of love to Solon residents on Shabbat
Solon Times By: Sue Reid Jan 9, 2020 Updated Jan 9, 2020 For the handful of Jewish residents at Solon Pointe at Emerald Ridge in Solon, weekly Shabbat celebrations are made possible – and even more meaningful – thanks to a group of loving hands and hearts. For the past year, members of the Chabad Jewish Center of Solon have been baking traditional challah bread then delivering it, along with grape juice and handmade cards, to Solon Pointe at Emerald Ridge. Challah typically is eaten during holidays, including Shabbat each week, and ceremonial occasions. Miriam Greenberg, wife of Rabbi Zushe Greenberg, said this idea formed last year over winter break to provide the bread and the tradition for the Jewish residents in the nursing home. The Chabad has done programs with residents there, but never weekly Shabbat visits, she explained, similar to practices at nursing homes in Beachwood, which cater to Jewish residents and celebrate all the High Holidays. “For the people to not have the Shabbat meal on Friday was sad,” Mrs. Greenberg said she had thought at the time, thinking what if she tried to provide this every week. She began the project by reaching out to the Chabad members to take part in this volunteer effort, called Loaves of Love, and has had no shortage of volunteers, Mrs. Greenberg said. In fact, the project has amassed over 60 families, and that number continues to grow. “The residents just love it,” Mrs. Greenberg said, “and the reaction is so touching.” For Solon Pointe resident Michael Blauner, 82, the weekly visits from Chabad members are extremely moving. They remind him of sharing the Jewish traditions with his late wife Betty Jo. “When I get the challah and open the door and see the mothers and the little kids and their bright smiling faces, it represents Betty Jo and our two daughters,” Mr. Blauner said tearfully. “I find it so moving, I usually cry.” He enjoys eating the challah in the library room at Solon Pointe, while watching a Shabbat service th