Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and, each year, our community makes sure that gratitude reaches those who are often forgotten.
For several years now, a dedicated group of civically engaged Jewish volunteers has made it their tradition to bring warmth and appreciation to first responders working through the Thanksgiving holiday. While families across New York City enjoyed their festive meals, volunteers once again fanned out to deliver fresh, catered Thanksgiving dinners to officers at precincts and airport units across the city.
This annual initiative was coordinated by Amudim, the crisis-intervention organization that supports individuals and families facing trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental-health challenges. Its founder and CEO, Rabbi Zvi Gluck, is widely known for his tireless advocacy on behalf of those in crisis. In addition to leading Amudim, Rabbi Gluck serves as a volunteer NYPD chaplain and law-enforcement clergy liaison and has long been involved with emergency-response organizations. His deep relationships within the first-responder community – and his decades of hands-on crisis work – make him a uniquely trusted presence in moments of need.
Rabbi Gluck personally delivered meals to officers of the Port Authority Police Department at LaGuardia and JFK Airports, as well as to the Customs and Border Protection teams at JFK.
Meanwhile, Yosef Noy and I delivered meals on behalf of Chaverim of Queens and Great Neck, while I also proudly represented Queens Shmira in my capacity as Community Outreach Coordinator. Together, we brought Thanksgiving dinners to the 102, 112, and 107 Precincts, whose officers cover Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Kew Gardens Hills, respectively.
We were joined by fellow Chaverim volunteers David Arshadnia, Moshe Ilyasov, and Michael Katayev, whose assistance ensured smooth and timely distribution. At the 107th Precinct, organization Co-Coordinator Eli Kreindler helped deliver a generous batch of freshly baked pumpkin pies, bringing wide smiles to the officers working the holiday shift.
During our visits, we also took time to educate the officers about the non-medical emergency assistance provided by Chaverim, including boosts, lockouts, flat tires, out-of-gas calls, stuck vehicles, and other roadside and community support. Officers were genuinely moved by the volunteerism, and many saved the hotline number should they encounter difficulties while on duty or within the community.
Throughout the evening, officers expressed heartfelt appreciation, with one noting, “This means more than you know. Holidays can feel long when you’re away from home.” At every stop, it was clear that ours were the only fresh meals brought in for that evening’s roll call, a gesture that resonated deeply with those serving the public on a day centered around family.
The meals were beautifully prepared by Elite Caterers of Inwood, a glatt-kosher, family-owned company founded in 1986 and trusted throughout the community for its high-quality dishes under KAJ supervision. Their warm Thanksgiving meals brought comfort and encouragement to officers spending the holiday in service of others.
This annual tradition – born within the Jewish community and carried forward by volunteers who believe deeply in honoring those who protect us – lit up Thanksgiving with genuine gratitude, unity, and respect.
For those seeking assistance, several community hotlines are available around the clock. Amudim’s Crisis and Mental-Health Support Line can be reached at 646-517-0222. Chaverim of Queens and Great Neck is available at 718-441-0505. Queens Shmira’s 24-Hour Emergency Hotline can be reached at 718-329-4444.
By Shabsie Saphirstein