How the Irving Aaron Kitchen of Kindness Began
Long before there was a kitchen, there was a group of teenagers who believed that small acts of kindness could make a big difference. That’s where our story begins.
How It All Began
Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Mendelsohn founded A Ripple Effect, a youth volunteer movement created around one simple idea: kindness changes lives.
Teens across Ottawa supported families facing illness and hardship, delivered gifts, formed beautiful friendships and discovered that even a small act of kindness can make a lasting difference.
“The love and meals from A Ripple Effect kept us going. We knew someone was there. Someone was looking out for us.”
— A mom we supported
When Everything Changed
When COVID brought the world to a standstill, the needs around us only grew. We turned our home into a kitchen and began preparing fresh meals, holiday boxes, Shabbat dinners and care packages.
Every delivery carried the same message: you are not alone.
“My weekly meetup with a child who needed me gave me a reason to smile. Helping someone else filled a deep need to care and love. It helped me heal.”
— A teen volunteer
More Than 3,000 Meals
As restrictions eased, our volunteers returned. Our kitchen once again filled with laughter, teamwork and purpose.
Since 2020, together we have prepared and delivered more than 3,000 homemade meals, each one made with care, dignity and love.
A Permanent Home for Kindness
That dream has now grown into the Irving Aaron Kitchen of Kindness, dedicated in loving memory of Irving Aaron ז״ל.
Children, teens, adults, families, schools and community groups will come together to prepare homemade meals for people throughout Ottawa facing illness, food insecurity, homelessness, isolation and other challenges.
More than a kitchen, it’s a place where people come together to cook, volunteer, build friendships and remind others that they are cared for.
Part of a Worldwide Movement
We are honoured to partner with the Chabad International Kitchen of Kindness initiative, inspired by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky ז״ל, joining Chabad centres around the world in bringing compassion and homemade meals to those in need.
There Is a Place for You
Cook, volunteer, sponsor a meal or celebrate a simcha through kindness. Together we can nourish bodies, lift spirits and create ripples of kindness for generations.
We can’t wait to welcome you.
Rabbi Chaim & Bassy Mendelsohn and the teens and volunteers of A Ripple Effect and the Irving Aaron Kitchen of Kindness
Join UsRooted in the Rebbe’s Vision
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that every person has both the responsibility and the ability to care for others.
When Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm joined the United States House Agriculture Committee, the Rebbe encouraged her to help ensure that children and families had food on their tables.
The Irving Aaron Kitchen of Kindness is our local answer to that same call: sharing fresh kosher meals with dignity, compassion and care.
