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Chesed

KMS Chesed provides support to synagogue members with meals, grocery shopping, medication pickup and more. We also support a number of community organizations including Yad Yehuda, the Franco Foundation, Hebrew Free Loan and Bikur Cholim among others. If you are in need of support or interested in volunteering to help others, please email Chesed@kmsynagogue.org or call/text Miriam Stein at 201-681-9963 OR Shuli Tropp at 202-834-1557.   

 Ongoing internal community support:

  1. Meals and general support for bereavement, illness or welcoming new babies
  2. Calls to COVID impacted members
  3. Meals, grocery shopping, medication pickup
  4. Tech help with registering for vaccines or placing online grocery orders
  5. Monthly Shabbat meals for members home alone during COVID
  6. Mindfulness meditation mental health support series—under development
  7. Senior programming—under development
  8. Gordon Lederman Chesed weekend in coordination with KMS Youth Department


Rides to Doctor Appointments:
Bikur Cholim can provide this service. Please apply as a client by filling out this form: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application/Client?OrganizationGuid=bb78c9bd-50a7-4b0b-a5fc-e9cb5f3f84c8You will need to notify Bikur Cholim of ride needs two weeks ahead of the appointment via email at info@bikurcholimgw.org.

Ongoing greater community initiatives:

  1. Support of Yad Yehuda with ongoing needs. KMS point person: Naomi Carmel, ncarmel@yadyehuda.org   
  1. Support of Bikur Cholim with ongoing needs. Please contact Bikur Cholim directly to sign up for their volunteer list: info@bikurcholimgw.org or call 202-331-4481
  1. Support Chesed efforts for Holy Cross Hospital food insecure workers and provide staff meals during COVID. KMS point people: Fran Kritz, fkritz@aol.com  and Daphne Price, daphne.price@gmail.com
  1. Support the food pantry efforts for the SSCRC on Arcola. KMS point person: Dina Levitt, dinakochlevitt@gmail.com

Message from Rabbi Weinberg

Dear Friends,

I hope this note find you well and that you are staying safe at this difficult time.

As the pandemic grinds on, I am sure it is taking a toll in many ways on all of us, some more than others. I want to let members who may be experiencing financial hardship know that KMS has resources that can provide short-term assistance. Please contact me (rabbi@kmsynagogue.org) if there is any way we can help. Be assured that I will keep all communications strictly confidential.

In addition, there are wonderful resources available in the community.  Here are a few of them:

1. Yad Yehuda

Whether you are trying to strategize about how to deal with unanticipated expenses or if you are already experiencing financial hardship as a result of the current situation, with the help of Hashem Yad Yehuda is here to help with links, resources and information.  Visit https://www.covidgw.com/ for more information.

2. The Franco Foundation

The Franco Foundation offers financial assistance to Jewish families and individuals who are facing financial crisis. Our assistance includes help with rents, mortgage payments, utilities, food and such. Whether these needs are due to loss of income, furloughs, layoffs or situations beyond their control we are a safety net for those facing financial crisis. Our goal is to assist those in need on a temporary basis until those seeking help no longer are in need of assistance. Contact thefrancofoundation@gmail.com.

3. Hebrew Free Loan

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Greater Washington is proud to provide zero-interest emergency loans for those impacted by Covid-19 up to $1,500 to qualified Jewish borrowers in need across DC metro area. These loans will be processed on an expedited basis, typically within 3 business days. Apply here or call 301.859.0346.

4. Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington

Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington has grants to help pay medical bills, including mental health and therapy.  Contact asiegel@bikurcholimgw.org.

Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me at any time.  May Hashem send us guidance and refuah at this time. 

 Sincerely,
Rabbi Weinberg

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784