Hesed

The Hesed Committee strives to make all synagogue members feel seen, safe and supported as they face life’s joys and challenges—whether it be birth, marriage, illness, or the death of a loved one.

The Hesed Committee makes and delivers meals, creates meal trains, mails condolence cards, delivers congratulatory notes and baby gifts, and makes phone calls to congregants who have lost a loved one. Not only does this work help to strengthen the bonds of caring and friendship in our shul, creating connections from person to person, it can also be meaningful and uplifting for both the giver and the receiver. Reaching out in a caring way to someone else really feels good! Having someone reach out to you in a caring way feels good too! The goodness flows in both directions.

There are two primary ways you can support the Hesed Committee:

1. Volunteer: We’re always looking for more people to get involved. If you’d like to prepare or deliver a meal, write a card, or help in other ways as needed, please join us! To join the Hesed Committee, please email Natalie Lembeck, committee chair.
2. Donate: The work of the Hesed Committee is supported through direct donations to the Hesed Fund. Donations to the Hesed Fund will subsidize the committee’s acts of loving kindness, including: meal prep and delivery, recovery care packages, congratulatory and condolence cards, shiva support, Hesed sponsored seminars, and more. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Hesed fund can do so securely online here.

If you would like to volunteer to provide a meal, follow these simple instructions:

1. Choose from the list of available dates and click on the green “VOLUNTEER” button. Delivery details – address, delivery time, etc. - and dietary restrictions can be found under “Recipient Info” by clicking the “View All Details” button.  

2. Enter your name and describe the meal you will bring (be sure to read all instructions for dietary restrictions/allergies/etc.) and click on the orange“Volunteer” button.

3. Make and deliver your meal on the date you signed up for! You will receive email reminders from Meal Train one week and one day before your delivery date.

If you need assistance signing up to deliver a meal, or if you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Hesed Committee, please contact Natalie Lembeck, Committee Chair, at: natalielem@gmail.com