Submission #27554 by Etz Chaim Men's Club - Marietta, GA (1711)
2023
I have read the 2023 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Giving Back to Our First Responders
Community Outreach
Page 1
As with most synagogues in this era fraught with uncertainly, we have a police presence during Shabbat services… and many other times when the synagogue is occupied. This outreach to our First Responder Community was our opportunity to engage those standing ready to safeguard our security and demonstrate our appreciation....with Kosher Brisket Chili!
OVERVIEW
A “False Alarm” incident during Shabbat evening services —a silent alarm was inadvertently tripped— brought an immediate and massive response by the Cobb County Police to Congregation Etz Chaim. According to the Synagogue's Executive Director, multiple Police and Fire Rescue units were on-scene within minutes.
While this was, thankfully, a “non-event,” the very reassurance of their awareness and presence ignited a desire among Etz Chaim Men’s club to show our appreciation to the men and women who comprise our local First Responders.
THE PLAN
The decision was taken to reintroduce a tradition lost to the Covid epidemic: engaging our local Police and Fire Departments in a show of community support.
THE GOAL
Wow them with BRISKET CHILI
• Express our appreciation for their presence and vigilance
• Explain a little about KOSHER
THE CHALLENGE
Coordinating a convenient time to host a lunch for our First Responder Police and Fire Departments sounds easy—they share a County Government building— but their schedules don’t always conform to ‘regular hours’.
THE “BENEFICIARIES”
Cobb Police Department (Precinct 3)
As patrol cars are always ‘on-the-move’, Major Batterton suggested we schedule the lunch during change-of-shift so the Officers on both morning and afternoon tours could partake and enjoy.
Cobb Fire Department (Precinct 21)
Firefighters are on-duty 24 hours and off-duty 48; it was C-Shift’s luck to be on duty the day we dropped by to schedule. Captain Hilley was convinced our chili couldn’t compare to theirs, and “the game was afoot!”
Of course, with First Responders, you never know when an emergency call might interrupt the festivities. (Spoiler alert... things don’t always turn out as planned!)
THE DAY
Our seemingly inexhaustible team of Kitchen-teers* competed for the honor of being in on the preparation. Everyone, if seems, wanted to be a part of the effort to express appreciation to our Police and Fire Departments for their ever-presence and -vigilance. *kitchen volunteers
Master Chefs with chili expertise far exceeded the numbers needed, ensuring an enjoyable cooking experience… at Etz Chaim, there’s no such thing as “too many cooks”
THE MENU
Brisket Chili --- sour cream (Pareve, of course)
Creamy Cole Slaw(albeit non-dairy)
Cornbread, southern style… meaning spicy!
Brownies with pecans (a Hank Needle spécialité)
Sweet Southern Iced Tea (de rigueur in Georgia)
THE FLY IN THE [Ointment] CHILI
Little could we have known when locking the date that it would coincide with Election Run-Off Day. Georgia is one of few states that requires a majority vote. Neither candidate had won a clear 50% vote, and the balance of the U.S. Senate was in play. The Government Center was “Ground Zero”, as the building housing the Police and Fire Departments also served as a polling station.
Full of goodwill and fully armed with pots, bowls and trays, we arrived to face a wall of hundreds of voters waiting in line to vote and a large presence of police directing the overflow of traffic. It took a quick call, and we received a road-clearing, light-flashing escort through the throng.
We set up in the large dining area at the Fire Department, and as we dished out bowls of the delicious concoction, we were joined by the entire FD crew; the unfortunate police cadre managing the traffic snafu outside could only dribble in on their short breaks.
The situation did, however, offer a special opportunity for us to interact closely with the Firefighters. They were very curious to understand what makes a brisket “KOSHER”. They also learned why we didn’t bring Parmesan Cheese and ‘real’ sour cream (they generously provided their own), and why Pareve spread—I can’t believe it’s not butter (it’s not!)—was our selection for spreading on the cornbread.
We were just finishing off the delicious meal with Hank Needle’s famous brownies—both with and without nuts—when THE CALL came in. The Rescue Team—Cobb County Firefighters double as EMTS—jumped to their feet in response, and off they went.
Police
The mostly-absent Cobb County Police Officers brought to mind the last time (pre-COVID) we hosted: it was the same day the funeral of a neighboring DeKalb County police officer killed in the line of duty took place. In a line reminiscent of the 1980’s Hill Street Blues, the Commanding Officer admonished his charges and sent them on their way with a message of caution: “Be careful out there!”
THE ESTEEM
Our EMT Firefighters returned rather quickly (guess they were still hungry!), and the long lunch drew to a close.
The sociable, enjoyable afternoon turned somber as we took the opportunity to tell them about the COMMEMORATIVE BRICK prepared for the Memorial Garden at our Congregation Etz Chaim to honor the memory of fallen First Responders.
It reads: “In Memory of Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives in the Line of Duty”
LEAVE-TAKING
It was time to say Goodbye. We ended with mutual appreciation expressed and new friendships formed... and a clear message to our neighbors that their service is valued beyond measure (even more than can be expressed in a bowl of Kosher Brisket Chili).
A “False Alarm” incident during Shabbat evening services —a silent alarm was inadvertently tripped— brought an immediate and massive response by the Cobb County Police to Congregation Etz Chaim. According to the Synagogue's Executive Director, multiple Police and Fire Rescue units were on-scene within minutes.
While this was, thankfully, a “non-event,” the very reassurance of their awareness and presence ignited a desire among Etz Chaim Men’s club to show our appreciation to the men and women who comprise our local First Responders.
THE PLAN
The decision was taken to reintroduce a tradition lost to the Covid epidemic: engaging our local Police and Fire Departments in a show of community support.
THE GOAL
Wow them with BRISKET CHILI
• Express our appreciation for their presence and vigilance
• Explain a little about KOSHER
THE CHALLENGE
Coordinating a convenient time to host a lunch for our First Responder Police and Fire Departments sounds easy—they share a County Government building— but their schedules don’t always conform to ‘regular hours’.
THE “BENEFICIARIES”
Cobb Police Department (Precinct 3)
As patrol cars are always ‘on-the-move’, Major Batterton suggested we schedule the lunch during change-of-shift so the Officers on both morning and afternoon tours could partake and enjoy.
Cobb Fire Department (Precinct 21)
Firefighters are on-duty 24 hours and off-duty 48; it was C-Shift’s luck to be on duty the day we dropped by to schedule. Captain Hilley was convinced our chili couldn’t compare to theirs, and “the game was afoot!”
Of course, with First Responders, you never know when an emergency call might interrupt the festivities. (Spoiler alert... things don’t always turn out as planned!)
THE DAY
Our seemingly inexhaustible team of Kitchen-teers* competed for the honor of being in on the preparation. Everyone, if seems, wanted to be a part of the effort to express appreciation to our Police and Fire Departments for their ever-presence and -vigilance. *kitchen volunteers
Master Chefs with chili expertise far exceeded the numbers needed, ensuring an enjoyable cooking experience… at Etz Chaim, there’s no such thing as “too many cooks”
THE MENU
Brisket Chili --- sour cream (Pareve, of course)
Creamy Cole Slaw(albeit non-dairy)
Cornbread, southern style… meaning spicy!
Brownies with pecans (a Hank Needle spécialité)
Sweet Southern Iced Tea (de rigueur in Georgia)
THE FLY IN THE [Ointment] CHILI
Little could we have known when locking the date that it would coincide with Election Run-Off Day. Georgia is one of few states that requires a majority vote. Neither candidate had won a clear 50% vote, and the balance of the U.S. Senate was in play. The Government Center was “Ground Zero”, as the building housing the Police and Fire Departments also served as a polling station.
Full of goodwill and fully armed with pots, bowls and trays, we arrived to face a wall of hundreds of voters waiting in line to vote and a large presence of police directing the overflow of traffic. It took a quick call, and we received a road-clearing, light-flashing escort through the throng.
We set up in the large dining area at the Fire Department, and as we dished out bowls of the delicious concoction, we were joined by the entire FD crew; the unfortunate police cadre managing the traffic snafu outside could only dribble in on their short breaks.
The situation did, however, offer a special opportunity for us to interact closely with the Firefighters. They were very curious to understand what makes a brisket “KOSHER”. They also learned why we didn’t bring Parmesan Cheese and ‘real’ sour cream (they generously provided their own), and why Pareve spread—I can’t believe it’s not butter (it’s not!)—was our selection for spreading on the cornbread.
We were just finishing off the delicious meal with Hank Needle’s famous brownies—both with and without nuts—when THE CALL came in. The Rescue Team—Cobb County Firefighters double as EMTS—jumped to their feet in response, and off they went.
Police
The mostly-absent Cobb County Police Officers brought to mind the last time (pre-COVID) we hosted: it was the same day the funeral of a neighboring DeKalb County police officer killed in the line of duty took place. In a line reminiscent of the 1980’s Hill Street Blues, the Commanding Officer admonished his charges and sent them on their way with a message of caution: “Be careful out there!”
THE ESTEEM
Our EMT Firefighters returned rather quickly (guess they were still hungry!), and the long lunch drew to a close.
The sociable, enjoyable afternoon turned somber as we took the opportunity to tell them about the COMMEMORATIVE BRICK prepared for the Memorial Garden at our Congregation Etz Chaim to honor the memory of fallen First Responders.
It reads: “In Memory of Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives in the Line of Duty”
LEAVE-TAKING
It was time to say Goodbye. We ended with mutual appreciation expressed and new friendships formed... and a clear message to our neighbors that their service is valued beyond measure (even more than can be expressed in a bowl of Kosher Brisket Chili).
Page 2
Original Program
Gold