Chevrat Chesed

Chevrat Chesed, a project of Sisterhood coordinated by our rebbetzin Mindy Gewirtz and a steering committee of volunteers, is dedicated to providing support to our YIB family as follows:
• Week of Birth - We provide Shabbat meals, from soup to dessert, for families with a new baby. A Shalom Zachor is prepared as needed. We also give the book, More Effective Jewish Parenting by Miriam Levi to first-time parents. Rabbi Gewirtz maintains a small lending library that includes books regarding Brit Milah, baby naming and a general halachic guide to pregnancy and childbirth.

• Week of Shiva - We notify all interested members regarding funeral and shiva arrangements by email and phone. Among the services offered are: special chairs, Seudat Havra'ah, Siddurim for the Beit Avel, "Jewish Way in Death and Mourning" by Maurice Lamm,

• Homebound and Hospital Visitation - Our visits to homebound and hospitalized members involve younger and older volunteers.

• Shidduch Connection - Chevrat Chesed has developed the Shidduch Connection in order to facilitate and support the one-on-one introduction of marriage-minded single members of our community. Beyond traditional matchmaking, we work to integrate the concept of helping singles meet one another into the very fabric of our culture, just as we do with Chevrat Chesed. A core team, representing different segments of our community, meet on a monthly basis volunteering their time to connect single members with singles from other communities. The process includes completing a written profile (available on the YIB website: www.yibrookline.org) and a phone or in-person interview. We have made contact with Shidduch Committees in Baltimore, Detroit, Florida and New York to better expand our network of referrals. In addition to making formal introductions in our own community and through our contacts in other communities, we also introduce singles to one another and to other members of our shul at our weekly Shabbat Kiddush.

• Shabbat Prescriptions
  Rabbi Gewirtz has made an arrangement with CVS Pharmacy, 1322 Beacon Street, 617-731-4410, in Coolidge Corner (corner of Beacon and Harvard Street) for emergency prescriptions to be partially filled on Shabbat/Yom Tov and paid for after the conclusion of Shabbat/Yom Tov. Please see Rabbi Gewirtz for confirming letter from CVS.

• Inspirational Tefillah Booklet ~ Distributed to patients in the hospital.

• Automated Phone Tree Notification

• Tzedakah and Volunteer Opportunities

Chevrat Chesed also offers support and referrals for persons suffering from other personal and social stresses, including divorce, miscarriage and family violence.

Chevrat Chesed Donations:

Chevrat Chesed cards, used for all occasions, are available for $7.
Shabbat Meals can be sponsored for $18 for families blessed with a child or observing shiva.
Special donations are individually acknowledged.
All donations are set aside for Chevrat Chesed services.
Please call Emily Stein at 617-734-0276 if you would like to make a donation.

Chevrat Chesed Names to Know:
Mindy Gewirtz	Chevrat Chesed Coordinator & Week of shiva
Julie Shulman & Mickey Nyer	Week of Birth
Emily Stein	Donations, Cards
Mindy Gewirtz	Chevrat Chesed
Penina Simon	Friendly Visiting
Risa Gewurz & Norah Mazar	Shalom Zachor
Susan Weiss	Dor L'Dor
Susan Pollak	Sponsor a Chevrat Chesed Shabbat Meal: $25;