My father would always say, ​“Give with a full heart and expect nothing in return.” When I was a kid, I didn’t understand what it meant. I kept (emotional) scorecards. But it was the way my parents lived that taught me and my sisters, and now my children, that it was our responsibility to be there for others. In Hebrew, this being there is referred to as ​“tzedakah,” a form of justice, a value — simply doing the right thing.

For quite a number of years, my daughter, Julia, has served on the God​’s Love We Deliver (GLWD) Culinary Council. Because of Julia’s connection with GLWD, I was given the honor of designing one of their holiday donation cards. 

GLWD is a non — sectarian organization that provides free, medically tailored meals to people living with serious and chronic illnesses (i.e. cancer, Alzheimer’s, renal failure, HIV/AIDS.) Started in 1985, GLWD serves the New York City Metropolitan area, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties and parts of New Jersey. Their personalized meals are designed by registered dietitian-nutritionists to support positive health outcomes that help to reduce healthcare costs and help people stay out of hospitals. 

I’m proud to have the Happy Holiday Recipe card I designed for sale on the God’s Love We Deliver website. My hope is that my card is a recipe for what to bring with you on any occasion — smiling, listening, laughing and loving — and that buying it now creates a bigger holiday table for others. 

Thank you for giving with a full heart and Happy Holidays.