Some good can come from even deep loss. In March of this year, Cindy Jarnicki coordinated with her sons and grandsons to deliver Passover meals and items for the seder together, as part of Jewish Family Service’s Passover Delivery Project, supported by the Rockwern Charitable Foundation. The Project’s volunteers deliver meals and seder items to those homebound or unable to afford the special foods needed to celebrate Passover. This year was the sixth in a row her family has been doing the Passover Delivery Project together. 

When we asked Cindy, “Why do you volunteer?” we heard an unexpectedly serious story of loss and family renewal. Here is our interview, edited for clarity. 

JFS: “Why do you volunteer with the Passover Delivery Project?”

Cindy: “Starting March, 2021—just three short months after my husband, Oscar Jarnicki, passed away from a short illness—my family started volunteering for JFS’s Passover meal delivery. For me, participating in this meaningful mitzvah with my two sons and daughter—when at that time she was living locally—as well as my two grandsons, Blake and Devin, was a way to honor and remember my beloved husband Oscar, who passed away in January of 2021, just a few months before Passover and what would have been his 67th birthday.”

JFS:  I’m so sorry for your loss.

Cindy: Oscar was born around Passover in 1953 and for many years his birthday fell during the holiday. Passover was always an especially meaningful time in our home. We have such fond memories of family and friends gathering around our table, celebrating together with love, gratitude and tradition. After Oscar passed, I felt there could be no better way to honor his memory than by helping others experience the warmth of the holiday.

JFS:  And how did you pick the Passover Delivery Project?

Many years ago, when my children were young, we participated in this same JFS program, which allowed my three children to learn the importance of giving back to our community. And now, continuing this same tradition with my grown children and grandsons has become incredibly meaningful to all of us. It reminds the younger generation that not everyone is as fortunate as we are and that small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone's life. It’s obvious when I see the smile on the faces of the recipients as my grandchildren talk with them.

JFS: It seems like your grandchildren are very up for this. Are they?

Cindy:  For my grandsons, this experience has been a real eye-opener. Delivering meals and spending time with residents in our community, who they have never met and are helping, has exposed them to people from diverse backgrounds. It has also given them a better understanding and gratitude for others in our community. These conversations and experiences are lessons they will carry with them forever.

JFS: How do you all remember Oscar during this mitzvah?

Cindy: I know Oscar would be so proud that we are fulfilling this mission around the time of his birthday and Passover, since the holidays and traditions meant so much to him. We do the work of helping provide and deliver meals, while keeping our own family memories close to our hearts. My grandsons were fortunate to have their “Poppy” close to them in their young lives, and I know they will always hold him close in their hearts forever.

Oscar was happy to have the opportunity to work with JFS closely at the time of his retirement. He was able to share the knowledge he gained from owning and operating his own senior care properties for over thirty years. He really enjoyed his time of giving back to the community, and forming new relationships that meant so very much to him.

Supporting JFS throughout the years, as well as participating in this annual tradition, is truly a perfect way for our family to honor Oscar's legacy of compassion, community, and caring for others. At the same time, we continue to appreciate and cherish that it is a great bonding time for our family.

If you'd like more information about volunteering, please visit our How to Volunteer page.