Nourishing Tradition and Community Through JFSLA’s Senior Nutrition Program
For decades, the Hirsh Family Kosher Kitchen, part of Jewish Family Service LA’s Senior Nutrition Program has provided hot, nutritious meals to LA seniors at our senior meal sites throughout the city and with home-delivered meals. During the Rosh Hashanah holiday, JFSLA’s Senior Nutrition Program served and delivered nearly 1,000 meals to older adults across Los Angeles.
“A lot of our clients face loneliness, they have no family or anyone to celebrate with, so being able to visit one of our meal sites and be a part of this community, means a lot to them,” said Hugo Perez, Food Service Manager, who has led the kitchen for over 30 years. “For some, the JFSLA driver delivering their holiday meal may be the only personal interaction of the day. I’m proud when we prepare holiday meals that bring back memories. It’s a way of keeping traditions alive for those who might otherwise celebrate alone.”
- All-purpose flour: 1 ¼ cups
- Baking soda: ⅓ teaspoon
- Baking powder: ⅓ teaspoon
- Kosher salt: ⅛ teaspoon
- Granulated sugar: ½ cup
- Brown sugar: ¼ cup
- Vanilla imitation flavor: ⅓ teaspoon
- Pasteurized egg beaters: 1 large egg
- Honey: ⅓ cup
- Canola oil: ⅓ cup
- Ready Yuban decaf coffee (brewed): ½ cup
- Broken walnut pieces: 1 tablespoon
- Raisins: 1 tablespoon
Directions
1- Preheat oven 325 Fahrenheit.
2- Place eggs, oil, honey, and coffee in a mixing bowl. Mix them on low speed.
3- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Mix well with a fork or by hand.
4- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed for about 5 minutes or until smooth and well combined.
5- Add in walnuts and raisins with a spatula until evenly distributed.
6- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
7- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
This year’s Rosh Hashanah menu was rooted in tradition: herb-roasted chicken, chicken soup, carrot tzimmes, coleslaw, noodle kugel, apples with honey, and honey cake. The sweet dishes symbolize our hope for a sweet year ahead. The Rosh Hashanah meal is part of a certified six-week cycle menu the kitchen has refined over the years. Each dish meets strict nutrition guidelines while also honoring cultural and religious traditions.
Behind the scenes, the JFSLA kitchen operates with a small but mighty staff of twelve. Success depends on advanced preparation and organization. Meals are carefully scheduled, with purchasing done months in advance to secure ingredients for holiday menus. This enables the program to meet the challenges of holiday service.
At JFSLA’s senior meal sites, coordinators ensure smooth meal service while also fostering a welcoming environment—decorating spaces, encouraging socialization, and celebrating birthdays. On Friday, September 19, JFSLA meal sites served nearly 200 people, providing both hot meals and additional take-home meals to ensure clients are supported while the sites are closed for the holiday.
“When clients see something special on the menu, they light up,” said Stratton Harrison, Congregate Meal Site Supervisor. “Our goal is always to provide the service seniors deserve. We work hard because we care.”
The Senior Nutrition Program continues to embody that philosophy, ensuring that each meal represents dignity, memory, and connection served on a plate.
