MAY 21 • 2020 | 19

household items as paper 
goods and cleaning supplies. 
That led the temple to contact 
several members whose 
businesses could provide 
these items, which they 
agreed to provide at cost. 
A letter was then sent 
to members offering these 
household necessities through 
curbside pickup at the temple. 
According to Mesa, each day 
they receive requests from a 
small number of people who 
then pick up the supplies. 

In a few cases, items have 
been delivered, including 
one drop-off at Meer Jewish 
Apartments. Those who can 
afford it pay a fee to cover 
costs.
“People are glad to be back 
at temple and to see a friendly 
face. The service is not just 
for Temple members,” he says. 
Mesa adds that the temple 
plans to offer catered meals 
to members in a few weeks. 
He adds that some members 
visit just to walk the grounds, 

saying that it comforts them 
to be near the temple even 
though they can’
t go inside.
Temple Israel volunteers 
and staff have been calling 
older members on a weekly 
basis and have delivered 
food to some individuals. 
The temple has expanded its 
Food Pantry that provides 
free fresh food to members 
and the general community 
in partnership with Forgotten 
Harvest. 
Rabbi Bennett says that 
prior to the pandemic, about 
100 families received food 
assistance every other week, 
referred mainly by local 
social service agencies and 
schools. Now that number 
has increased to 250 families 
due to COVID-19, he says, 

including 15 to 20 percent 
who are temple members, 
some of whom have lost their 
jobs. Food packages are being 
supplemented by additional 
food donations from temple 
members. (For additional 
information, call Temple 
Israel at 248-661-5700.) 
Clergy and administrative 
staff at area synagogues and 
temples have found that their 
work lives have changed due 
to the pandemic. A rabbi 
live-streams a presentation 
for members from his dining 
room table. By phone, an 
executive director helps 
members figure out how 
to access online programs. 
“We’
re helping people 
differently than before,” Mesa 
says. 

FACING: Temple Israel clergy shared their favorite moments serving the com-
munity on Zoom. LEFT: ‘
A Rabbi and a Pastor Zoom into a Pandemic’
 with Dr. 
Steve Bezner and Rabbi Jen Lader. 

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