Chesed Committee

The Chesed Committee meeting was held on Sunday, February 26, 2012.  In attendance were Rabbi Wolff, Gerry and Brenda Canter, Lisa Gariepy, Goldie Newman, Rick Granowitz, Mickey Wilson, Bob Kushner and Sydney Torrey.

Rabbi Wolf told us that we should have two things in mind when we visit a sick person.  One is to bring warmth and caring to the individual whom we are visiting.  The other is to be aware that we are carrying out a mitzvah that we have been commanded to do by our Creator.

It was suggested that the Chesed committee give guest books to members of B’nai Torah who are living at the Jewish Nursing Home.   By signing their name in these books, visitors would be able to let the residents know that they came to visit, if the visit occurred when the resident is asleep or out of their room.  Rick agreed to discuss this idea with Rabbi Jacobson.

Thank you notes from congregants consoled by the committee were read.   The committee gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Sisterhood.  We appreciate the regular budget updates provided by Ken Gorenstein.

Gerry Canter solicited the names of congregants who are homebound or residing in local nursing homes.  He and Goldie will make shaloch manos deliveries to congregants in the Jewish Nursing Home and Ruth’s House.   Mickey, Lisa, Gerry and Sydney will deliver to those who are homebound or living in other local nursing homes.

Regular visits to congregants who are hospitalized or in nursing homes are continuing with the help of Rabbi Wolff  who sometimes bring his children with him, and visits by other committee members continue.  When Bonnye becomes aware of a hospitalized congregant, she calls our Rabbis and identifies a lay person to make a visit.  When our Rabbis are aware of a hospitalized congregant they email Bonnye the name and location of the congregant.   Bonnye continues to arrange for follow-up phone calls to recently hospitalized congregants, and informs Marion Pava so that Marion can send them a note.    If anyone is aware of someone who would like a call and isn’ t  getting one, or someone who does not want to be called, please call Gerry at 734-0847.    Donna and Carolyn distribute cards for the Jewish holidays.   If you want someone to receive a Passover card, please call Carolyn at 783-5524, or 732-2324.

Visits by our youth to nursing home congregants continue with the help of Rabbi Davis and Yehuda Edry.  Rabbi Davis has prepared a questionaire to assist the youth in breaking the ice with elderly congregants.  It would be ideal if the youth-Jewish Nursing Home initiative could be extended to homebound congregants.   Congregants Paul Bloom and Harry Aizenstat are (thankfully) not homebound, but could be invited to the Tuesday youth group to allow the children to practice their interviewing skills and become more comfortable before visiting seniors.  Members of our committee are very interested in helping with the project.

Gerry Canter has volunteered to deliver a challah and bottle of wine to new congregants.

Lisa Gariepy has arranged for volunteers to serve as member-of-the-month for all months in 2012, and she has delivered member-of-the-month calendars to Rabbi Davis and the B’nai Torah office. She will call members to remind them a couple of weeks before they are scheduled to serve.   One member each month is responsible for orchestrating our shiva-related activities.  We continue to review obituaries in the Springfield Republican daily and call the member-of-the month with relevant information.  Lisa Gariepy will cook Friday night dinner in the B’nai Torah kitchen,  for a family sitting shiva, for up to ten persons.   This will be available for families in either Springfield or Longmeadow.    If a meal is being provided, the member-of-the-month will pick up the meal from Lisa and deliver it to the family. If the family prefers, a $25 charitable donation will be made in memory of the deceased.

Watch for our “Chesed Corner” describing some services provided by the Chesed committee in the B’nai Torah Shabbat handout.       Thank you and kol hakavod to everyone for their efforts on behalf of the Chesed Committee.    Our next meeting will take place on Sunday, September 9, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.

We wish everyone at Congregation B’nai Torah a joyful Purim, and a sweet and joyous Peseach!

Sydney Torrey