Despite Hurricane Irma’s wrath, MorseLife Health System will host its Homebound Mitzvah Program on Sept. 18 — improving the High Holidays for homebound Jewish seniors, who otherwise would not be able to experience its joys and traditions.

On Monday, MorseLife and 400 volunteers of all ages and religious affiliations will prepare Homebound Mitzvah Program packages and deliver to hundreds of seniors throughout Palm Beach County.  The packages include traditional kosher meals, wine, large print prayer book and a DVD of services conducted by Rabbi Alan Sherman, Chaplain at MorseLife.

MorseLife and its volunteers plan to prepare and deliver more than 900 packages. Additionally, volunteers plan to sit and talk with the Homebound Mitzvah recipients, bringing additional warmth and compassion to the delivery.

“The Jewish holidays can be particularly lonely for many of our community’s seniors who have lost their spouses and good friends, and who do not have children or other close relatives nearby,” said Linda Sevich, Director of Community Services for MorseLife, who has run this program throughout its existence.  “It has been our honor for 20 years to be able to bring the joys and traditions of the Jewish New Year to them – it’s truly a beautiful mitzvah.”

The High Holidays commence with Erev Rosh Hashanah on Wednesday, September 20, and continue with Yom Kippur commencing on Friday, September 29 and ending at sundown on Saturday, September 30.

Homebound Mitzvah Program volunteers will be loading the Mitzvah packages on Sept. 18 from 8:30-3:30 p.m. at both the MorseLife Health System campus, 4847 Fred Gladstone Drive (off Haverhill Road) in West Palm Beach, and at Temple Torah, 8600 Jog Road in Boynton Beach.

    Since 1997, the Homebound Mitzvah Program has been reaching out to the area’s homebound elders in hopes of diminishing the loneliness and isolation frequently felt over Jewish holidays such as the High Holidays and Passover.  It was founded by Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz, who had nurtured a similar program called Dorot in New York to help isolated seniors, and is made possible through the generosity of community philanthropists and a grant from the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

For volunteer information please contact Linda Sevich at 561-254-8926.