Earlier this month, a slight majority of voters in Somerville voted for a non-binding resolution to boycott companies doing business in Israel. Who would have expected, then, that the largest Leket Israel event ever in New England would take place this fall right in the heart of Somerville?
When we first began planning a dinner in support of Israel’s national food bank back in March, we hoped to attract 80 attendees. We were overwhelmed when registration surged past capacity—180 people filled the building, and we had to turn others away. Supporters came not only from all over Somerville, but from across the region, driving from the far corners of Massachusetts and even New York.
Responding to Israel’s Growing Food Crisis
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These meals sustain Holocaust survivors, children, new immigrants, Arab and Jewish families alike, and women in shelters, people who might otherwise face impossible choices: skipping meals, forgoing heat on freezing nights, or surviving on unhealthy, inexpensive food.
We now find ourselves serving populations we never imagined would be seeking our help. This includes former donors; now-homeless survivors of the Nova music festival massacre, whose lives were shattered and who now receive warm soups delivered by social workers; children living in homes with addiction; and Israelis suffering from PTSD who are unable to work.
A recent study found that every $1 invested in Leket Israel returns $10 to Israel’s economy, through improved health, reduced waste, and strengthened local agriculture.
An Evening of Hope and Unity
Our “Food as a Bridge” dinner opened with remarks by Rabbi Marc Baker, who spoke passionately about food justice, Leket Israel’s mission, and why Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) is proud to support Leket through a major 2025 grant.
We were honored to be joined by Consul General of Israel to New England Benjamin Sharoni, and by Leket Israel CEO Gidi Kroch, visiting from Israel. The community came together to raise more funds than at any previous New England event—$250,000, enough to acquire a 46-ton flagship food rescue truck, the largest in Leket Israel’s fleet. This truck alone now provides food for 8,000 additional struggling Israeli families every week.
The evening also showcased Israel’s flourishing spirit and wine industries, and featured a powerful performance by acclaimed musician Ester Rada, whose Ethiopian Jewish heritage embodies resilience and Israel’s cultural richness.
As Kroch shared that night, he grew up with the belief, instilled by his Holocaust survivor mother, that no one hungry should ever go without food.
From Compassion to Action
The event’s impact extended beyond the dinner itself. Volunteers of all backgrounds, Jewish and non-Jewish, came together to help. Their participation reflected the same spirit that animates Leket Israel’s work: proactive compassion.
In life, we often wonder: Can one person truly make a difference? That night in Somerville, we saw the answer. Every person who attended, every dollar donated, moved us closer to feeding thousands more.
Our founder, Joseph Gitler, often draws inspiration from the Mishnah: “Whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved an entire world.”
Thanks to this collective effort, for the next three years, thousands of meals each day that would have rotted in landfills will now nourish Israelis in need. This also fulfills the vital mitzvah of bal tashchit: do not waste.
Looking Forward
Today, the new truck is already on the road, saving thousands of dollars each week, rescuing tons of produce, and nourishing families who might otherwise go hungry. This achievement was made possible not only by the funds raised that evening, but also by area synagogues and individual donors who continued contributing throughout the autumn.
While anti-Israel groups might be busy trying to find ways to be destructive, our community is being proactive, building and helping. Imagine how many more lives could be changed around the world if more organizations learned from and embraced beautiful ideas coming from Israel, like Leket Israel, rather than being hyper-focused on boycotting.
Sometimes people ask me why I think the largest food rescue organization on the planet is in little Israel. Perhaps it is because it is so deeply rooted in our texts and traditions. As Maimonides reminds us, if a hungry person asks for food, we must give immediately, without delay, for hunger cannot wait. He ranks feeding the hungry above clothing the naked or offering money, because it addresses the most immediate human need.
Learn more or volunteer with Leket Israel.
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