As Pesach approaches, a massive shipment of hand-baked Shmurah Matzah arrived in Chicago this week. Pallet after pallet of carefully packed boxes were unloaded from large trailers, quickly filling the Chicago distribution center that serves as the hub for Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois’ statewide effort to bring Shmurah Matzah to Jewish homes.

But this year’s campaign reflects more than just another busy season before Pesach. With the recent arrival of new Chabad shluchim across Illinois and the growing activity of Chicago’s new Mitzvah Tank, the reach of the initiative continues to expand, bringing the special mitzvah of Shmurah Matzah to even more communities.

For decades, Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois has coordinated a statewide distribution effort inspired by the Rebbe’s call that every Jew should have the opportunity to experience authentic Shmurah Matzah at the Pesach Seder. As part of the Rebbe’s mivtzoim encouraging the performance of mitzvos and strengthening Jewish connection, shluchim work each year to ensure that Shmurah Matzah reaches as many Jewish homes as possible.

What began as a modest campaign has grown into a coordinated effort spanning more than 50 Chabad centers, reflecting the steady expansion of the Rebbe’s shlichus throughout Illinois.

Shluchim across Illinois will distribute thousands of boxes of matzah in the weeks leading up to Pesach, ensuring that Jewish families, from large metropolitan neighborhoods to smaller outlying communities, can include handmade Shmurah Matzah at their Seder tables.

In addition to the work of local Chabad centers, the new Chicago Mitzvah Tank will be traveling throughout the city in the days before Pesach, bringing Pesach awareness and offering Shmurah Matzah directly to Jewish passersby and local residents.

“The Rebbe emphasized the importance of Mivtzah Matzah,” said Rabbi Meir Moscowitz, regional director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois. “Each year we see more people eager to include Shmurah Matzah at their Seder, and with the continued growth of shlichus in Illinois, we are able to reach more Jewish homes than ever before.”

The logistics behind the campaign are considerable. In the weeks leading up to Pesach, thousands of pounds of matzah are received, carefully sorted, and prepared for distribution. From there, shluchim and volunteers deliver the matzah to community members, neighbors, and those who might otherwise not have access to handmade Shmurah Matzah.

Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois expressed appreciation to the many individuals who helped coordinate this year’s campaign, including Mivtzah Matzah coordinator Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein, as well as Rabbi Yosef Moscowitz, Rabbi Levi Notik, and Rabbi Yochanan Posner, whose efforts helped ensure the smooth distribution of matzah throughout the region.

As the campaign continues in the coming weeks, the boxes of Shmurah Matzah will soon find their way onto Seder tables across Illinois, helping thousands of Jewish families celebrate Pesach with the traditional matzah that has been cherished for generations.