Every year, members of Temple Tiferet Shalom of the North Shore arrive at Malden High School at 1:30 a.m. to prepare Christmas Day meals for the less fortunate. They trim the roast beef, peel potatoes, and cut up vegetables.

This year’s effort by the Peabody synagogue resulted in the delivery of over 900 pre-packaged meals to residents of Malden, as well as another 400 meals distributed to people on a take-out basis.

Led by Dr. Ed Weiner for the past 30 years, helped by his son Jonathan for the past 20 years, the Weiners work in conjunction with Bread of Life, a nondenominational faith-based nonprofit feeding the hungry and homeless, and the city of Malden mayor’s office. This meal is one of the largest Bread of Life events of the year.

Temple Tiferet Shalom members prepare the food from scratch. This year, due to increased demands for deliveries, over 700 pounds of roast beef, 500 pounds of potatoes, and more than 350 pounds of carrots and green beans were purchased and prepared. Once the cooking was underway, the kitchen swelled to about 70 volunteers, who assisted in assembly-line fashion in packaging 1,300 meals and desserts.
Temple President Bryna Rosen Misiura then coordinated a group of about 50 drivers, who delivered the 900 meals to residents in Malden and 12 surrounding communities.

Preparation for this event each year begins months in advance. All funds are raised by the Weiners and Temple Tiferet Shalom members. Donations were received from Bimbo Bakeries and Costco.