Young Judaeans feed homeless at soup kitchen

By Jewish Review

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About 10 teenagers from Young Judaea spent an hour Jan. 21 serving lunch to some of Portland’s homeless at the Blanchet House of Hospitality in the Old Town section of Portland.

Dorice Horenstein, Young Judaea advisor and education director of Congregation Shaarie Torah, said that she takes groups of volunteers to serve meals at the soup kitchen about four or five times a year.

Unlike most soup kitchens, Blanchet House is not affiliated with a religious organization, nor is it the recipient of government or United Way funding. Blanchet staff members are unsalaried volunteers. Many of the staff are recruited from those served by the agency; in return for housing, the staff provide the daily tasks of operating the facility.

Young Judaea member Jaclyn Rubincik said volunteering at the soup kitchen was a “very moving experience. (I’m) happy that I did it and would love to go back.”

Another member, Noa Goldenberg said, “It was sad to see so many poor people, and see how they are coming in freezing from the cold just waiting for a warm meal. I felt very good afterward knowing that I helped out.”