Mitzvah Day

Mitzvah Day 2025 Recap
We had an amazing Mitzvah Day and Soup Contest on February 23. Over 500 people participated in our many mitzvah projects. We had 14 chefs competing for first, second and third place, plus a “people’s choice” award. We had three celebrity judges: Michael Meltzer, Margie Zeskind, and Jessica Fuentes, who is the owner of Café Avanti. Many thanks to Michael Meltzer for organizing the Soup Contest and working with our judges. It only happens because of his expertise.
SILVER SPOON
Joanne and Daniel Aronson, Carolyn West and Evan Marks
STOCK POT
The Alhadeff Family
The Bast Family
Team Ressler
SOUP LADLE
Jeff and Lili Agron
Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz and Adam Snitzer
Stephanie Rosen
Rachel Unger and Family
Craig and Betty Berko
Stephen and Beverly Unger
Temple Beth Sholom Staff
Suzette Abramson
Bobbi Ossip
Judith Richard
Michelle Kahn
Andrea Wagner, Presented by Jules Alhadeff, Green Curry Lentil Soup
Rachel Unger, Vegan Brunswick Stew
The Gumbo Limbo Class from The Innovative School of Temple Beth Sholom, Sunset Gazpacho by The Golden Suns
Howard Grodin, Roasted Tomato Soup with Maple Syrup
Ellie Feldman, Steve and Beverly Unger, Roasted Squash Soup
Team Ressler, Sweet Corn Chowder
Suzette Abramson, Island Pumpkin Soup with Green Curry Paste
Jonathan and Karen Sepsenwol, Cold Chickpea-Tahini Soup
Adam Snitzer, John Barker, Dan Haber and the Village (Free)dge Crew, Beef Barley Soup
Tamas Dofek (the Gulashim), Hungarian Goulash
Glenn Dryfoos, Turkey Noodle Soup
Mark Jacob, Salmorejo
Mihaela Gutman, Tuscan Ribollita
Jenni Person, presented by Norys Figuera and Neil Singer, Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
And now…the winners:
First place – We had a tie! Suzette Abramson with her Island Pumpkin Soup with Green Curry Paste, and Mihaela Gutman, with her Tuscan Ribollita
Second place - Ellie Feldman, Steve and Beverly Unger, with their Roasted Squash Soup
Third place - Adam Snitzer, John Barker, Dan Haber , and the Village (Free)dge Crew, with their Beef Barley Soul Soup
People’s Choice Award - The Gumbo Limbo Class from The Innovative School of Temple Beth Sholom, and their Sunset Gazpacho by The Golden Suns

Download the Soup Contest Recipes
MITZVAH DAY SPONSORS
Judith Richard and Martin Madorsky