The month of Nissan 5775 has ended, and it will be remembered as a month of unprecedented peaks in the charitable activities of the Chabad Kollel.
Despite the prolonged period of fighting and security challenges, the organization raised and deployed tens of millions of shekels in direct aid, recorded historic achievements, and demonstrated boundless giving. Alongside the series of regular projects operated by the Kollel, a number of charitable works stood out in the month of Nissan, as reported in the following lines.
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One of the most notable highlights was the historic collaboration between the Bnei Brak Municipality, headed by Rabbi Hanoch Seibert, and the Chabad Kollel. The unique partnership made this year's Passover flour production the largest in the city's history.
Tens of thousands of families in the city of Torah and Hasidism received extensive financial assistance that gave them a dignified holiday. Mayor Rabbi Hanoch Seibert and his deputy Rabbi Yehoshua Mendel issued a special message of thanks: "On behalf of the city's residents of all walks of life and denominations, we express our deep gratitude to 'Kollel Chabad' for the courageous partnership and boundless giving, which has become a support and a support for thousands of families and children in the city.".
Under fire: Transporting tens of thousands of meals to public orders
Despite the security situation, Chabad Kollel traditionally assisted in hundreds of public Passover seders held across the country – in underground parking lots, barracks, and shelters, by Chabad emissaries. Tens of thousands of participants, including evacuated families, the elderly, and individuals, were able to celebrate in complete freedom during the seders.
As part of the project, the organization transported tens of thousands of fine meals, prepared in huge kitchens and distributed through complex logistics. The project, which was born by the Lubavitcher Rebbe more than 40 years ago, became a large-scale charity operation this year, in which tens of thousands of families took part, feeling free, despite the war and security tensions.
""I only ate porridge for three weeks""
One of the most exciting and difficult projects was assisting Holocaust survivors. The period of fighting revealed a chilling reality: elderly people aged 90 to 105 who were malnourished because of canceled visits from nannies, grandchildren in the reserves, and empty refrigerators.
In collaboration with the Claims Conference and the Friendship Foundation, the Chabad activist group has a broad telephone hotline. Coordinator Natalia, a Russian speaker, has spoken with hundreds of survivors and delivered hot meals to their doorsteps every day.
The testimonies were harsh: A 92-year-old woman said she had eaten only porridge for three weeks. An elderly man with dementia had difficulty remembering his address. "The problem wasn't money," says Natalia, "but a physical inability to obtain food. The hot meal was also emotional support for them.".
Natalia, whose mother was a Holocaust survivor, added: "When I hear 'I have nothing to eat' I identify with them with all my heart. It's important not to forget them – every conversation and every meal gives them the feeling that they are not abandoned.".
True partnership in dozens of Chabad communities
A significant part of the activity in the month of Nissan was based on a true and deep partnership with dozens of Chabad communities across the country. Chabad works in close collaboration with local charity treasurers, while building a personal and respectful assistance system.
The assistance included the distribution of special vouchers for the purchase of kosher food for Passover, clothing, and footwear – everything tailored to the needs of each family. Thousands of Chabad Hasidim families received personal assistance, which helped them enter the holiday with dignity and without heavy financial worries.
This partnership, which continues a long tradition, allows for precise needs to be identified on the ground, avoiding shame and preserving the dignity of those in need. Local treasurers serve as an extended arm of the organization, and aid reaches homes directly – sometimes as personal vouchers and sometimes as customized food packages.
The momentum continues: a huge summer surge in the glory of old people
With the end of the month of Nissan and the start of summer, the Tiferet Zakenim – Levi Yitzhak kollel chain enters a huge summer boom. After the prolonged period of fighting and the intervening period of time, activity is expanding with the opening of a chain of new branches across the country.
The new branch in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem is one of them. It joins a network of 150 branches spread across the country, where over 2,000 retirees study Gemara, Halacha and Hasidism. The expansion provides a warm Torah, social and spiritual framework for the elderly, and continues the Rebbe's vision.
After the end of the month of Nissan, at the Chabad Kollel we are preparing for a busy summer season filled with acts of kindness, for the benefit of the community and the individual.
Photos: Eli Kovin, Shalom Ber Hechtman, Mandy Hechtman
