In the spirit of the occasion, Matthew’s parents, Gaby and Howard, along with his older brother Steven and the Gross and Herring family’s of Manhattan, decided to fly to Israel, in order to perform chesed work at a Meir Panim Relief Center in Kiryat Malachi.

Meir Panim Relief Centers throughout Israel have become a lifeline to tens of thousands of poor families, which include youngsters such as Matthew. Recognizing the need to help kids his own age enjoy a hot and nourishing meal, Matthew donned an apron and a hat and started preparing hundreds of meals (pictured) at Meir Panim’s Kiryat Malachi facility. Matthew and his parents also made an in-person appearance at the nearby Netzach Yisroel school in order to see and interact with kids his own age. From there, it was onto to nearby Kiryat Gat, where the whole family shared a tasty lunch meal and other experiences with dozens of hungry local citizens at Meir Panim’s upscale soup kitchen. For Matthew, it was a Bar Mitzvah trek he’ll never forget.