Project ORE for Homeless Jews

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Outreach to Elders Project

On This Page
* Manhattan's Only Kosher Soup Kitchen
* Our Services
* Client Profiles
* How You Can Help
* Client Walk-In Hours


Related Webpages
* Counseling Services

Manhattan's Only Kosher Soup Kitchen ... and More

The only program of its kind in NYC, Project ORE has served more than 400,000 emergency kosher meals and provided counseling, case management, and other supportive services to isolated, poor, homeless, mentally ill, elderly Jews--including Holocaust survivors-- since 1987.

Many clients have been kosher-observant their entire lives. Without Project ORE, they would have to choose between going hungry and eating food that violates their spiritual beliefs. Project ORE is able to help where other community service providers or government support cannot.

Despite rising attendance and operating costs in the current tough economy, we've made a promise: Project ORE will not turn anyone away. To make a donation, please click here.

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Our Services

From our home in the basement of a Lower Manhattan synagogue, the heart of Project ORE is our kosher, family-style community meals: a buffet breakfast, hot lunch and food packages for Shabbat.

We also:

• offer classes in art, poetry, and current issues, educational trips, and programs on health and wellness. A Jewish experience is provided through a weekly Oneg Shabbat, Jewish studies and holiday celebrations.

• provide caring, licensed clinical social workers to help clients with clothing, a free legal clinic, housing referrals, assistance with entitlements and benefits (public assistance, disability, social security, etc), referrals for psychiatric counseling, medical treatment, and crisis intervention for emergency situations.

Volunteers serve meals and socialize with Project ORE participants -- showing them that someone cares. We believe that people need more than food to lead meaningful lives.

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Client Profiles

• Esther spends most nights on a bench in Madison Park or in Penn Station. She comes to Project ORE for kosher meals and Shabbat celebrations.

• Jacob became homeless when he escaped his abusive alcoholic father as a teenager. Project ORE fed him, helped him find an apartment, and got him counseling.

• Rachel was living a middle-class life until she was derailed by bipolar disorder. Project ORE gives her stability, offering a caring community where she feels safe.

As Joseph, one of our clients, says, we provide "a hand to help and a heart to feel." Tracy, another client, says that, "Project ORE believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."

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How You Can Help

Project ORE relies primarily on private donations and volunteers.

In the face of increased need and rising costs, many New York soup kitchens and food pantries are being forced to reduce the number of people they serve. But we have made a promise: we will not turn anyone away.

Click here to learn more about the services your generosity will support or click here to make a donation now.

To sponsor a meal or volunteer, email Serena Orgel or call 646-395-4089.                         [back to top]

Client Walk-In Hours

Client walk-in is Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Project ORE is located at:
Congregation Emunath Israel
236 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
212.780.5436

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