Maos Chitim Fund Mobilizes Community

As Passover approaches, Atlanta’s Maos Chitim Fund is calling once again on the Jewish community to uphold an age-old tradition: ensuring that every family can gather around the seder table with the food and provisions needed to celebrate the holiday.

For more than 50 years, this tradition has been upheld by Maos Chitim’s mobilized community doing a mitzvah which has grown significantly in need. It’s a blessing to observe the holiday and celebrate Pesach. Making that opportunity available to those who need assistance is at the heart of this purposeful organization which makes a significant difference in the lives of others.

The name, “Maos Chitim,” literally means, “wheat money,” and is rooted in the Haggadah’s call: “All who are hungry, let them enter and eat. All who are in need, let them come celebrate Pesach.”  For decades, Atlanta community members have come together to fulfill this tradition and sacred obligation, raising funds to directly support local families in need. What started as a small group of Jewish community members going door-to-door down Broad Street, asking Jewish store owners for donations to support other Jews at Passover, has now grown to a community-wide endeavor as the Jewish community has grown and spread out around metro Atlanta.

Now located at Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta (JF&CS) for 501(c)(3) administrative purposes, Maos Chitim operates as an independent, community-led initiative with its own leadership and dedicated volunteer committee. JF&CS provides the nonprofit status to accept donations and issue acknowledgment letters, while every dollar raised by Maos Chitim goes directly toward helping families afford Passover food and essentials.

Today, the fund is led by longtime community volunteer Allan Tanenbaum, who has chaired the campaign for more than 20 years. Under his leadership, Maos Chitim continues to adapt to growing needs. In some years, requests for assistance have increased by as much as 30 percent. This year alone, the fund will support more than 600 local families.

“Many of the previous givers of Maos Chitim are now asking for help,” said Allan Tanenbaum. He, along with a group of volunteers, ask the question, “How can we sit at our seder table without having provided for those who truly need assistance so they too can have a seder?”

The Maos Chitim committee, comprised of dedicated community members, including Dr. Miles Brett, Rabbi Hillel Konigsburg of Congregation B’nai Torah, Dr. Steven Leff, and Stephen Tanenbaum, emphasizes that participation is just as important as the amount given.

“Rather than focusing on a few large sources of funds, we want more people to participate,” Allan Tanenbaum added. “What gives me a greater sense of accomplishment is the number of people who give, not the size of the gift. This is a community obligation. Despite the significant need, only 1 percent of the local Jewish community has historically contributed to the fund. With Passover expenses rising and economic pressures continuing to affect families across Atlanta, the committee is urging broader participation. A contribution of just $18 can help make a meaningful difference.”

Maos Chitim does not replace donations to other Jewish causes or organizations; it is a focused effort dedicated solely to helping families meet the additional costs of Passover. Every dollar collected is used to provide food and holiday necessities for those in need. As Atlanta prepares to celebrate freedom and renewal, Maos Chitim invites every member of the community, especially the next generation, to step forward, “light the match,” and ensure this tradition continues for decades to come.

To support and learn more about the Maos Chitim Fund please visit give.jfcsatl.org/maos.