Chesed Committee

Chesed is the Hebrew word for kindness and is commonly translated as lovingkindness. Chesed is a central Jewish value, and leads to many particular commandments or mitzvot.

The CBE Chesed volunteers are a group of more than 70 people who are willing to help their fellow congregants in times of need.

Currently, the Chesed committee offers services in the following areas: Meals, transportation, shiva arrangements and check-ins in with people to make sure their needs continue to be met.

• If, for some reason, you need meals delivered to your home - we can help. All we need to know is how many meals you need, any dietary restrictions (such as food allergies), and how long you would like to receive the meals. Sometimes even just having the ingredients available and preparing a meal can be one more thing that is challenging to accomplish in times of stress. The Chesed committee will be able to help and take this task off your to-do list.
• If you need a ride to a doctor’s appointment or to another engagement, let us know and we will manage to get you there and back home again.
• When a loved one passes away, we can help coordinate whatever shiva arrangements are necessary. We can take over the kitchen duties, provide additional chairs and ensure that a minyan is available.

• CBE will plant a tree in Israel in honor of a congregant's new baby or in memory of congregant or family member.

So, in times of stress or uncertainty, don’t worry, the Chesed volunteers will support you in whatever way is necessary. All you have to do is let us know you could use a hand by calling the CBE office at 978-263-3061 or by emailing Emily Blumberg, Chesed committee chair, at chesed@bethelohim.org.

If you would like to join our ranks as a volunteer in any of the categories listed above, please email chesed@bethelohim.org. Your help is always on a volunteer basis.

Performing these mitzvot benefits not only others but also yourself, for, in the words of Hillel, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?”