250,000 Matzah Initiative: One Matzah for Every Jew

Last year in Michigan, a group of Shluchim set out to accomplish something that seemed nearly impossible: ensuring that every Jew in the Detroit area could perform the mitzvah of eating matzah on the night of Pesach.

Estimates place roughly 19,000 Jewish households in the region. With about 6,000 already receiving matzah through existing channels, approximately 12,000 homes still needed to be reached. Because the initiative began late and shipping large quantities was prohibitively expensive, the matzah had to be hand delivered. Despite the logistical challenge, the effort reached thousands of homes and proved that such a project was possible.

As Pesach approaches this year, that effort is expanding far beyond one city. Each year Shluchim and Anash around the world distribute matzah in their communities, fulfilling the Rebbe’s call to ensure that every Jew partakes of a kezayis of matzah. Now organizers hope to significantly broaden the reach of this longstanding mivtzah.

Rabbi Mendel Shemtov, one of the key organizers, explains the inspiration behind the project. “The Rebbe wanted that every Yid, literally, should receive a kezayis of matzah,” he says. “The Rebbe once remarked that if even a single Yid in the world does not have a kezayis of matzah on the night of Pesach, no Yid can rest.”

To help bring the project to scale, bochurim and high school girls in Detroit, as well as bochurim in Morristown and Nyack, have spent their free time over the past several weeks preparing more than 170,000 envelopes of matzah. Even that number is only a step toward the organizers’ goal of 250,000.

“Our goal of 250,000 is a floor, not a ceiling,” Rabbi Shemtov says. “We want to reach as many Yidden as possible, and we encourage financial support to help expand the program. Every Shliach in the United States can utilize this opportunity to help fully realize the Rebbe’s vision and connect with Yidden who might otherwise remain beyond the Shliach’s usual reach.”

Through the initiative, two packages of matzah are sent to each recipient, each containing a kezayis. This ensures that every Jew has the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah on both nights of the Seder. Shluchim can submit their local mailing lists, and the packages will be shipped directly to each home at a subsidized cost of two dollars.

With Pesach quickly approaching, participation in the program will only be available for a limited time. The costs of operating a project of this scale are significant, and organizers are encouraging those who wish to partner in the effort to contribute toward expanding its reach.

Order here.

– Sponsor a community: Think of a Jewish organization, shul, or group with a mailing list and sponsor matzah for the households on that list.

– Partner with a Shliach: Reach out to a Shliach whose community you would like to support, request their mailing list, and submit it through the program form so matzah can be sent to each home.

– Sponsor homes directly: Contributions of any size help expand the campaign. For example, a contribution of $200 will ensure that 100 Jewish families receive matzah for Pesach.

Donations can be sent to: Zelle address
248-875-7028

To contact the Matza Project
whatsapp 248-298-6201
email [email protected]