Jewish volunteers staff Durham Meals on Wheels

Durham, N.C. — A Durham Jewish congregation has stepped up to cover Christmas Day at Meals on Wheels while the usual volunteers take a holiday.

Members of the Judea Reform Congregation have been helping out on Christmas for 28 years.

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Jewish congregation delivers meals

“We enjoy getting out and there are certainly people in our community that can't afford a meal, can't get out on Christmas day. So it makes us feel good to be able to contribute back to the community and I think it shows the kids it's the right thing to do. We call it a mitzvah to be able to deliver meals on Christmas day to folks who don't have that opportunity,” volunteer Larry Trachtman said.

“This is a blessing and it means a lot to us,” recipient Mattie Rouse said.

The meals included a plate of turkey, sides and a slice of pie – but it did not include ham.

“Jews everywhere who are observant of keeping kosher refrain from pork and in our synagogue we don't have pork products,” said Rabbi John Friedman, with Judea Reform Congregation.

Dozens of volunteers prepared and delivered more than 100 festive feasts to about 75 homes in Durham and Chapel Hill Thursday.