Nechemia Mond, founder of Yad Yehuda, shares insights about Tomchei Shabbos and the need across our community.

Supporting Tomchei Shabbos Means Learning to Feel Another’s Pain as They Weather Hardships

Tomchei Shabbos helps individuals and families work through hard times until they are back on their feet — while bringing the beauty and oneg (enjoyment) of Shabbos into their homes.

Many Tomchei Shabbos programs deliver food packages to recipients. Instead, we distribute Shalom Kosher gift cards for use at the supermarket. This allows individuals to make the Shabbos food choices they and their family want. It is also a much more dignified way to get Shabbos food — rather than packages delivered to the door, children seeing the deliveries, and the embarrassment that might come with that. Instead, our clients shop for Shabbos at Shalom — using the same gift cards that everyone purchases to support local schools.

If a family is away for Shabbos and a package is dropped off, it’s more likely that squirrels will have a great feast than that individuals will enjoy that food for Shabbos. Our method maximizes what participants receive and avoids waste.

We are very fortunate to have a great partner in Shalom Kosher. Shalom has been working with us for almost two decades, offering us a very generous discount on the gift cards that help Tomchei Shabbos run smoothly and economically.

Yad Yehuda’s very low overhead is because of our large network of volunteers. For Tomchei Shabbos, we also work with Rabanim from shuls throughout Greater Washington. Each month, we purchase $35–40,000 in Shalom gift cards; at Yom Tov, we purchase $70–80,000. The cards are distributed by Rabanim to each household based on family size and need. This minimizes overhead while maximizing impact across our community.

Because Yad Yehuda protects every recipient’s privacy, you may not be aware of the breadth and gravity of the need in our community. You likely see people in shul or in the store who look like all is good in their lives — but the struggles and pain in the home may be very great.

Today, someone called me. Just a few days ago I saw them, looking like all was fine. When I learned of their situation today, I was floored by the challenges they were confronting. For parents who try to raise their children in a positive and calm home, it can be especially difficult while struggling to balance the bills, keep utilities on, and maintain mortgage or rent payments.

Here’s a sampling of recent emails which reveal some of the hardships our community members are facing (identities concealed to maintain privacy):

This year I was diagnosed with cancer; I’ve been working hard during a year of intensive treatments. We have a number of loans and high-interest credit card bills for ongoing family expenses, coupled with the costs of sending our children to day school and living an observant life. We’re looking to consolidate debt to eliminate mounting fees but we’re unable to get a guarantor. Any assistance provided would be very helpful.

In this case, we worked with the Hebrew Free Loan Association to secure a debt consolidation loan.

Another person wrote:

We were humbled and thankful to receive assistance from your organization last year. We were getting by and didn’t ask to renew our assistance. But it’s been very difficult to get through the past couple of months without help from family and friends just to cover food and gas bills. Please consider our application for assistance. Thank you so much.

Here are a few samplings of other requests for help:

I was laid off in March and, while I’ve been looking for a new job, nothing has stuck. We’ve gone through all our savings and now need outside help…

I’m in the process of applying for disability but don’t expect results for another few months. My children with special needs require weekly visits to special therapists. We’re in desperate need of any help you can offer…

I hesitate to bring this up: the Shalom cards have been so helpful. But inflation has raised prices to the point that the amount we’re getting isn’t enough. Anything you could do would be so helpful…

There are community members who, unfortunately, are forced to reach out to us. Most people are not aware of the challenges these individuals face while they continue their roles in the community, in schools, and in shul events — even while struggling to pay their basic bills.

We say zorei’a tzedakos, matzmiach yishuos: planting seeds brings about salvation. There’s no doubt that the amazing community support for Tomchei Shabbos brings tremendous yishuos and berachah to our community at large.

Tzorchei amcha meruvim: the needs in Klal Yisrael are great. This is true across the world, especially in Eretz Yisrael. It’s amazing to see the support from all over to help Eretz Yisrael. At the same time, aniyei ircha kodmin, the poor in your city take precedence — and the local needs are very great. That our community has maintained support for local households in need at this time should be a source of berachah — for our community, and all of Klal Yisrael.

[pull quote] Everyone has struggles in their life; sometimes those challenges can be very difficult. To be able to extend yourself, to feel another’s pain as they weather hardship, requires putting aside your own challenges and really thinking about others. So I feel so fortunate to work with an amazing group of volunteers who give so generously of their time and energy to help others in our community. The thoughtfulness and care that they invest is impressive.

And we’re very fortunate to have incredible community Rabanim who are truly Nosei B’ol Im Chaveiro — who feel and share the pain and need of individuals reaching out for assistance.

Through all of Yad Yehuda’s programs, we reach thousands of individuals. It’s likely that, if you live in Greater Washington, you personally know someone who’s been helped by Yad Yehuda.