Albany temple providing kosher cuisine for members in quarantine

ALBANY – It’s becoming more and more common, ending up in COVID-19 quarantine.

While many people can order groceries delivered straight to their door, ending up in quarantine can be difficult for people in the Capital Region who follow a kosher diet. That’s exactly why Temple Israel in Albany launched its "Quarantine Quisine" program.

"We said, how can we help them?" said Rachael Schertzer, executive director at Temple Israel of Albany. "We have people who are letting us know about members that are stuck at home. We are delivering a meal for them. Depending on how many people it is, it could be baked ziti for a family, or a roasted chicken dinner for a couple."

It just launched this week and builds off of the synagogue’s highly successful T.I. Takeout program, which launched a year ago to offer more kosher options for the Jewish community.

Chef Howard Gross from the Iron Works Grill dices up and sautés a variety of delicious kosher meals. They can also be made to accommodate other dietary restrictions.

Volunteers with the synagogue help deliver the meals to members, but the program is also open to the surrounding community for a fee. Temple Israel is hoping people will take advantage and reach out for help.

"People feel like they are ashamed of it, but unfortunately with the numbers, everybody knows someone with it right now," Schertzer explained. "The biggest thing is kindness. We want everyone to learn we are here for them."

For more information on the program, click here.