Jewish volunteers make Christmas dinner possible

Patti Singer, Staff writer 10:06 p.m. EST December 25, 2013

(Photo: CARLOS ORTIZ)

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Sam Falzone said he hadn't been to the Asbury Dining and Caring Center in some time, yet he'll frequently run into the folks he meets there.
"Rochester is a small community," he said Wednesday, less surprised at seeing familiar faces than finding out that Christmas dinner was being served.
"It means a heck of a lot," the 56-year-old Falzone said. "There are a lot of people who need a warm meal. They also need companionship on Christmas Day."
For the first time in its 20-year history, Asbury Dining and Caring Center provided a meal on Christmas Day as members of Temple Beth El cooked, served and cleaned up.
"It's our pleasure to be able to do this and give back to our community in a meaningful way," said Amy Libenson, who organized more than 70 volunteers who worked over several days to prepare salad, turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, several desserts and bags of cookies to give the guests and then make the meal go off without a hitch.
For the past five years, Temple Beth El has been part of a Sunday rotation at the dining center as part of the Rochester synagogue's commitment to tikkun olam.
"It means repair the world, to make the world a better place," Libenson said.
Asbury Dining and Caring Center serves meals Tuesday through Sunday.
In October, Libenson talked with synagogue members about taking over the mealtime duties on Christmas.
She approached center director Michele Cooley, who didn't have to think twice.
"It was very nice of this whole group," said Cooley.
The Dining and Caring Center is an outreach of Asbury First United Methodist Church on East Avenue.
In addition to meals, the center provides other services, such as help with employment, housing and education.
By volunteering Wednesday, members of Temple Beth El made their own family memories as several generations came together.
"It's important for me (because) I'm Jewish that I help people," said Josh Krill, 16, who came with his father and sister. "It's not my holiday. So I don't have a reason to be needy right now. They have the reason, it's their holiday."
Krill also knew many others helping out. "It makes it more fun to work around people you know and like."
Mark Cohen and son Sam, 12, were pouring beverages for the guests.
"I wanted him to see what it's like to serve others," Mark Cohen said.
Sam said he wasn't sure what to expect and thought the experience would get him past any apprehension about people who live under circumstances different from his.
"This is the first step," he said.
Ten-year-old Leo Katzman, whose family also lended their hands, made the rounds with another pitcher.
"This is important," he said. "It's what we Jews call a mitzvah, a good deed."
Asbury publicized the dinner, and Cooley said people were pleasantly surprised to learn they'd have a place to go for Christmas.
Elsewhere on Christmas, the Open Door Mission served dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at its Samaritan House Rescue Shelter, 210 W. Main St. About 300 people were expected, and gifts also were to be distributed.
Stephen Trippi was among about 70 men and women who came to Asbury. "I think this is going to turn out well. People that come here don't have other places to go."
Chris Day, who has volunteered occasionally and received other services from Asbury, debated whether to come for the meal.
"It took a lot to get the motivation to get here," said the 48-year-old Rochester man. He was watching television and saw a preacher. "He said, 'Don't lay around feeling sorry for yourself.' "