The Story Behind Yad Ezra V’Shulamit’s Holiday Food Baskets

Every Jewish holiday is a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness. But for thousands of families in Israel, these celebrations bring added stress as they struggle to afford even the most basic holiday essentials. Yad Ezra V’Shulamit is committed to ensuring that no family has to choose between paying bills and putting festive food on the table. That’s why, each holiday season, we distribute over 5 million pounds of food, totaling 50,000 food baskets per holiday, to families in need.

Why Holiday Food Baskets Matter

Jewish holidays are deeply rooted in tradition, and food plays a central role in their observance. From matzah on Passover to apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah, these special foods symbolize the values, history, and faith of the Jewish people. However, many low-income families simply cannot afford these essentials. Yad Ezra V’Shulamit steps in to bridge this gap, ensuring that every Jewish family can celebrate with dignity and joy.

Which Holidays Are Covered?

Yad Ezra V’Shulamit provides holiday food baskets for the following major Jewish holidays:

• Passover (Pesach), Shavuot, and Sukkot – These three holidays, also known as the Shalosh Regalim, are traditionally times when the Jewish people traveled to the Beit Hamikdash (Temple in Jerusalem). Today, they remain essential celebrations in Jewish life, with food at the heart of the festivities.
• Purim – A joyous holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. A key Purim tradition is Mishloach Manot—gifts of food given to friends and the needy, reinforcing the theme of generosity.
• Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, a time of renewal, reflection, and hope. Traditional foods like pomegranates, fish, and round challah symbolize blessings for prosperous year ahead.

What’s Inside a Holiday Basket?

Each holiday food basket is carefully curated to provide nourishing essentials while incorporating symbolic foods unique to each celebration. For example:

• Passover baskets include matzah, wine, and kosher-for-Passover staples.
• Shavuot baskets feature dairy products, honoring the holiday’s tradition of eating dairy foods.
• Sukkot baskets highlight the Seven Species of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
• Rosh Hashanah baskets include apples, honey, and fish for a sweet and prosperous new year.

The Torah’s Commandment to Give

The commitment to providing for those in need during holidays is deeply rooted in Jewish teachings. The Torah commands in Deuteronomy 16:14: “You shall rejoice in your festival—you, your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are within your cities.” This verse underscores the obligation to ensure that no one is left out of the holiday joy.

Yad Ezra V’Shulamit puts this commandment into action on a grand scale—allowing people worldwide to contribute to this important mitzvah by donating food baskets to those in need.

How You Can Help

As you prepare for your own holiday celebrations, consider making a difference for families who might otherwise go without. Your donation to Yad Ezra V’Shulamit can help provide a holiday meal, restore dignity, and bring joy to a struggling family.

Together, we can ensure that every Jewish home is filled with warmth, tradition, and celebration—because no one should have to face a holiday with an empty table.

Donate today and help spread the joy of the holidays.