28 | MARCH 25 • 2021 

ilies with children received weekly kosher 
KiwiKids boxes, with a weekend’s worth 
of breakfast and lunch foods. Those who 
didn’t want a particular food item left it at 
the synagogue; others came in the next day 
to take what they wanted.
For the Stevenson families, congregants 
placed a large metal office cabinet outside 
the school. Donors leave food in the cabi-
net, and those who need food can take it.
When word got out, other community 
organizations started bringing donations.
While the program is promoted primar-
ily within the school community, anyone 
who needs food is welcome to take items. 
The pantry is open 24 hours a day and is 
constantly being emptied and replenished.

HOLIDAY HELPING
As the December holidays approached, the 
congregation took their generosity a step 
further. 
The school’s principal, Tonya Hickman, 
identified 15 families who were strug-
gling financially and unable to provide 

Christmas gifts for their children. She gave 
the synagogue a wish list encompassing 
needs from computers and bikes to under-
wear, said the congregation’s spiritual lead-
er, Rabbi Yechiel Morris. 
“It was really eye-opening,” he said. “This 
is a nice neighborhood; we don’t normally 
think people here may be in need.”
Some congregants went shopping for 
gifts; others contributed cash. School fam-
ilies that could, including several alumni, 
chipped in. The synagogue raised enough 
to not only provide everything the children 
requested but also to add gift cards to the 
packages. A nearby Trader Joe’s donated a 
gingerbread house kit for every family.
Before Christmas, synagogue members 
loaded the decorated gift packages into 
family members’ cars in front of the school.
“Those families were truly grateful for 
the outpouring of love and the smiles that 
were placed on their children’s faces on 
Christmas morning,” Hickman said.
After the successful food and gift 
distribution efforts, some congregants 

wanted to do even more. Ten synagogue 
members, from college students to retir-
ees, now serve as tutors for Stevenson 
students. 
“They Zoom into classes, and the 
teacher sets them up in private sessions 
to work on reading and math skills,” said 
Gruber. 
Principal Hickman praised Andrea 
Gruber, saying she is the hero in 
this story. “She is truly committed to 
Stevenson and this community,” she said.
Hickman says the school community 
feels blessed and fortunate to have part-
nered with the synagogue. 
Gruber and Morris say Young Israel of 
Southfield is “the Little Shul that Could.” 
Almost all of the synagogue families 
participate in the community outreach 
efforts. “It’s a way for our community to 
reach out to others, a way to connect. It’s 
people taking care of each other, realizing 
we’re all in this together,” said Morris. 
The school and the shul have named the 
overall effort “Neighbor to Neighbor.” 

continued from page 26

CLOCKWISE: YIS volunteers 
Shoshana Gruber, Andrea 
Gruber, Marc Gruber and 
Sarah Voss. A Stevenson 
Elementary student receives 
a Christmas package. 
Tovah Morris, 12, works at 
the food pantry.

