CHESED 100 Acts 0f Kindness

100 Mitzvot in Memory of Rabbi Stanley J. Schachter^ז"ל

 1. Cooked, baked and froze 28 kosher meals for distribution to those in need in our congregation.
It feels wonderful to know we can provide a Shabbat meal for congregants when they need it. 

 2. I have a friend who has been living at Menorah Park. He has no family here and few friends. I shopped today for some kosher food products that he’s been unable to get there, as well as a little Thanksgiving flower arrangement.  Knowing that he will be so appreciative, warms my heart. Feels even better to give, than receive.

 3. We attended a funeral made a shiva call checked in on a friend helped our parents put away laundry made cards to welcome a new baby. This made me feel great.

 4. I have been volunteering at the Kosher Food Pantry for the past three years. I volunteer several times a week packing boxes/bags of food for the needy. I have also helped to deliver the bags to the designated apartments. I also help out elderly friends of the family when they need assistance. You can find my picture and more information about the Kosher Food Pantry in their News Letter. I feel very proud and happy that I am able to preform these mitzvot for the community and to individuals in need.

 5. Made a Shabbat dinner for a friend whose Husband is in the hospital. It made me feel helpful.

 6. Called to check in on an acquaintance whose husband is seriously ill. Made someone else’s day by showing care. 

 7. I donated money to the Animal Rescue Village which was part of my Bar Mitzvah project.

 8. A friend is in rehab after a hospital stay. He has no one to help him in the city and I went to his team meeting this morning to give the team more information and to help interpret their recommendations. overwhelmed at the issues he is facing.

 9. Brought many books to a family over Thanksgiving Break. I knew the children would love the books and I always love giving kids an opportunity to read.

 10. Delivered a CHESED meal to a member of B'nai Jeshurun. It made me feel great knowing we were providing them with a nice Shabbat meal.

 11. Donated to Pantry Packers. The oldest operating network of social services in Israel. We will also volunteer there in December just before we celebrate our grandson's Bar Mitzvah. Glad to be able to give money and also looking forward to actually working packing

 12. . Someone was needed to accept the shiva food trays during the funeral so they'd be there and out when the mourners, friends and family came back to the house after the funeral and burial. I volunteered to help and after a phone introduction to the widow, I spoke and arranged with her to be at her home as needed. A small favor on my part. A large favor from the perspective of the woman needing the help.We should expect ourselves to do acts of kindness just 'cause - not for any feeling of satisfaction on our own part.

 13. I was an election worker for the 2022 primary and general election. I made sure a 93-year old Jewish lady was able to vote. During the primary she had a lot of trouble marking her ballot, and there was little I could do for her. When she came for the general, we both recognized each other. This time she brought her husband and I orchestrated (legally) the voter assistance option so she could tell her husband what she wanted and he could make it happen. I felt empowered that I enabled someone who really wanted to, to exercise her right to vote.

 14. Neighbor's sweet cat is missing. I gave out flyers to 80 neighbors and posted them on 6 light poles. I also gave the neighbors printer ink, as they had run out, so that they could print more flyers. May Rabbi Schachter's memory be for a blessing. Lo Aleycha HaMelacha Ligmor, v'lo atah ben-chorim l'hevatel meemenah.

 15. Packed grocery bags at Kosher Food pantry.

 16. Drove a very sick friend to appointment to get vaccination.

 17. Made effort at Shabbat morning services to greet guests and welcome congregants I hadn’t seen in years; as usher offered them an honor.

 18. Called several elderly / single members to say hi and see if they needed anything .

 19. Attend minyan to help make minyan and say prayer for healing for several friends ( or family of friends) who are very sick or having surgery. Honored and grateful to be able to do these small tasks. Humbled with my good fortune . Hope these will be anonymous.

 20. We made dinner for a family that just had their first baby. We felt connected to our larger community by helping our friends.

 21. Prepared and delivered a Thanksgiving meal to a friend that I knew could use a good home cooked meal for the holidays. I felt good being able to do this. 

 22. I reached out to a couple of friends who had medical issues two or three weeks ago (surgery, Covid); I know that too often, people can get forgotten after a crisis has passed, so it's important to stay in touch and be available. I was glad that these friends knew that they were remembered, and I could tell they appreciated it. I wish I could help more, though of course it's good news that they don't need my practical help!

23. Helped a woman step off an icy curb. She was afraid she’d fall. I ran over to help her. Glad I could help when she was relieved and grateful.

 24. Made donations to APL an Federation, and renewed my membership to the Maltz Museum. Always happy to contribute to these worth.

25. On Shabbos morning, as we were both walking through the lobby at shul, I introduced myself to an older woman I didn’t know (who said she hadn’t been to shul for awhile because of COVID), helped her find the Siddur and Chumash she felt comfortable using, and then sat next to her during davening. I was happy I had done it. It made her happy so I was happy too.

 26. There was a period of several months in my early days of Multiple Sclerosis that on a Saturday after Shabbos, Rabbi and Lifsa would sit in my room while I was hooked up to my IV. We would have wonderful conversations. After they left I would feel fulfilled and encouraged to keep fighting to get back. 

 27. I produce & record podcasts twice a week for people with vision impairment through the Cleveland Sight Center. They are newscasts and are posted to NPR. It is extremely gratifying even if I cannot see the people who get to listen.

 28. In 88 minutes and 42 seconds we produced over 300 tea biscuits, about one delectable dessert every 18 seconds.
Plus, we made 3 large pans of brownies. Thank you for your help not only for baking but also for cleaning up. A job well done for a congregational lunch sponsored by the Ginsberg family in honor of Emma's Bat Mitzvah. A family that has been active and contributing members of our community, to my knowledge, for at least 4 generations. This was a great feeling.

 29. Delivered a CHESED meal to a family for Shabbat. I love doing this and being on the call list to help.

 30. I was flying home from work very early Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving. A flight attendant requested help from a medical person for a fellow passenger who was doing poorly. I pushed the call bell and volunteered my knowledge and skill. (The passenger in front of me told me she was a physician and to let her know if I needed help. She never got up to help.) I evaluated the passenger, took control of his care with what I had, and kept him safe until EMTs arrived to transport him off the plane. I made sure his wife was looked after as well. I hope that he did well at the hospital. I always wonder how people I care for are doing down the road. I'm glad I was able to help. I was humbled that I could help.

 31. I took a neighbor to Metro Health Hospital very early in the morning for his surgery. Later in the day I went back to bring him home. I also cooked, took over a meal for him. Then brought up his mail. I felt good about doing this.

 32. Purchasing winter jackets and boots for Ukrainian immigrants in the U.S. This help me feel gratified.

 33. Accompanied a friend to a medical appointment on Thanksgiving afternoon and treated the same friend to a kosher dinner later that day. This made me feel happy.

 34. Donated on giving Tuesday November 29 to the Food Bank for New York City and the Yiddish Book Center. This made me feel empowered, proud and happy.

 35. I helped a friend make a lot of kugels for her son's bar mitzvah. 

 36. I volunteer at the Cleveland Foodbank. I feel fulfilled and personally satisfied that I can help others.

 37. Contributed to the NCJW project Operation warmup with donation of new socks, hats and gloves. Put in our synagogue box. This is a project I have been involved with for many years. Such a worthwhile project.

38. Donated about 50 books to a little free library.

 39. Went shopping to specifically buy hats, gloves, socks and scarves to donate to CHESED /NCJW Project Warm Up. Happy to make somebody else’s life a little warmer.

 40. Helped in the kitchen to prepare the Kiddush lunch. I am always happy to help.

  41. Helped put desserts on platters for Shabbat kiddush for a Bar Mitzvah.  

42. I brought dinner over to a friend who has Covid.

 43. I helped a friend clean up. 

 44. I made breakfast for my family.

 45. I gave someone food that we made and helped in the kitchen. I felt like I was doing a complete mitzvah.

 46. I went to a shiva.

 47. I call my friend for Shabbat.

 48. I gave someone a meal when they were sick because it made me feel good.

 49. I went to a shiva.

 50. I called someone to do Shabbat with them.

 51. I listened to my parents.

 52. I read to my brother and was helpful.

53. When I helped in the kitchen at B'nai Jehsurun, I felt happy doing it.

 54. Filled stockings with toys for children in foster care. It made us feel happy to give kids a gift for the holidays.

 55. I wrapped tefillilin for the first time as a Bar Mitzvah at Morning Minyan.  
 56. Today I repaired the cover of the Holocaust Torah in memory of Rabbi Schachter. It has been falling apart at the top for quite a while and when it is used, it is very difficult for the Gelilah to get the cover on. The Holocaust Torah was from Czechoslovakia, and I am 1/4 Czech, my grandfather came from a family of tailors in Czechoslovakia. He taught me to sew, and although I am not anything near in skill to a tailor, I regularly repair the high holiday robes for the Clergy at Bnai Jeshurun. May his memory be a blessing z"l.

 57. One of my close friends has covid. Her birthday was yesterday and we weren’t able to celebrate together. I dropped off a card and a small cake. She doesn’t keep any sweets at home so she was very appreciate. I was a happy to bring a smile to her face.

58. Our friend, Fitz, runs several group homes (a true tzadik) and each year provides a lovely Thanksgiving dinner for 30 residents. This year his mother, who lives in Jamaica, was having her 94th birthday around the time of Thanksgiving. We partnered with another couple to provide Thanksgiving dinner so that he could go to Jamaica and celebrate his mom's birthday with his Jamaican family. We were thrilled to hear how happy Fitz was to be with his mom at this special time. He greatly appreciated that we took the pressure off preparing for Thanksgiving and encouraged him to go to Jamaica.

 59. Our friend was not feeling well, so I made her soup and picked her up her prescriptions. 

 60. I participated in two workshops on Jews of Color, so that I can be a more welcoming congregant. I learned about how we may be performing micro aggressions, and this made we more AWARE.

 61. I give blood as often as I can following my own health scare. I've been donating for many years and always feel that in my own small way, I am helping someone get well again. Grateful that I can do this for someone.

 62. I joined our Zamir choir at Menorah Park to light the menorah and sing Hanukkah songs.   

 63. I donated food to a Kollel  and comforted friend who lost wife recently and another friend with metastatic Cancer. It feels good to do good.

 64. My hairdresser hired a Ukrainian refugee fleeing the war to wash hair in the salon. For Christmas, I slipped her a large”tip” to help her through the holidays. My parents were refugees. It was a small act, but it puts food on her table.

 65. I donated blood. I’m O negative, so my blood goes to babies and children. It’s a small act, but it can save a life.

 66. We donated 1000's of Legos to Lego-Replay that donates them to schools and children in need. We no longer were using them and since Legos are expensive, we wanted them to be put to good use.

 67. I cooked 50 Chesed meals for those in our congregation who are experiencing a loss, an illness, or a new baby. We made both fleishig and vegan meals, and consist of soup, an entre, two side dishes, dessert and a challah. We do this to spread the love we have for each other. The freezer is stocked!

 68. Donated a lot of winter clothes to Goodwill.

 69. I take part in the Big Brother/ Big Sister program with Bellefaire and I spent time with my "little" over winter break. We went bowling, saw a movie and also celebrated Hanukkah together.

 70. Dropped off food at St. Herman's. I felt grateful to be able to do this and thank Rabbi Foster and Rafi Simon for bringing this worthy charity to my attention.

71. Prepared a Shabbat meal for a friend who has surgery and her husband. Took dinner over and celebrated Shabbat with them. It felt good to help someone and share Shabbat with them.

 72. Created a blanket for CHESED for their February collection.

 73. Took park in Lasagna Love and made a meal and dropped it off at their home. This was an incredible feeling knowing that I was helping someone immediately with a hot home cooked meal.

 74. Helped my mom and dad shovel their driveway in the bad weather. I don't like having them do this and I like helping them.

 75. We made brownies and cookies on MLK day and took them to the Fire Station in Solon. This made us feel good helping others who help us.

 76. I contributed to a shiva meal for a childhood friend who lived in California. It helped the family not feel so isolated from Cleveland roots. Although I felt sad about losing such a longtime friend whom I still kept in touch with, I was comforted knowing I was of assistance to the family. 

 77.  Once a month I pick up my friend and take her to CHESED for food as she has a hard time driving because of many physical issues with her sight. This usually takes several hours of the day, as I help her unload when I get her home.
We are both 82 years old and she is always grateful to get time out of the house. It makes me feel warm inside to be able to help my friend as we have known each other since elementary school.

 78.  In the winter, I help my parents take the trash out and I also help their neighbors. This makes me feel good and I like helping my parents.

 79. Volunteered at the Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry, packing bags of food. It felt good to work with others in our community to enable those suffering food insecurity to have options for meals.

80. I read Torah during Shabbat morning services. Reading Torah makes me feel connected to our Jewish history and traditions as well as with the shul community.

 81. Not too long ago I saw a Facebook post about a single Ukrainian mother and her new born baby boy. The person posting was asking for specific items for the newborn. To keep my hands busy, to curtail my evening noshing and to satisfy my creative self I knit baby blankets and donate them to NCJW. I had just finished a blanket perfect for the newborn. So I contacted my FB friend, connected with her and gave her the blanket. I hope the baby boy is staying warm, cuddly and enjoying the blanket in his new home and getting the warm fuzzies I got when creating it for him! One first generation American giving to another.

 82. We helped prepare the trays for the Tu B'Shevat program which involved sorting the fruits of Israel. 

 83. There are many ways to celebrate the power of community while embracing its responsibilities, from rabbi to greeters and all the other ways to participate in shul life.

84. Took care of a foster dog while waiting for it to be adopted.

85. I donated money in memory of my father-in-law to the Chesed fund in order to continue the work. This made me feel grateful.

 86. Brought medicine and bananas over to a sick friend. Sometimes you just do things because it is the right thing to do.

 87. When I go to synagogue, I help pour the grape juice for the Youth Service and set up their kiddush.

 88. I call some of the seniors at B’nai Jeshurun monthly to see how they are.  It started with Covid 19 and is continuing.  The members are so appreciative.

89. I volunteer in the B’nai Jeshurun library every Tuesday morning. This library is a “hidden gem”. I feel honored to volunteer and help bring this wonderful gift to our congregational family.

 90. We had our 4 1/2 year granddaughter go “shopping” in our pantry and the grocery store to collect canned goods to deliver to the Boy Scouts Food Drive. We talked about what a Mitzvah we were doing and we met the local WKYC Weather Team in Charlotte, NC!

 91. I volunteer every Wednesday afternoon at the reception desk at InMotion, a wellness center for people with Parkinson's Disease and their care partners/families. It's a wonderful experience for me to be a volunteer for InMotion. To be able to help people, especially new clients, become part of a community of people with a shared health condition. Feels great to help people participate in a variety of activities to help themselves improve their symptoms.

92. I contributed to a shiva meal for a childhood friend who lived in California. It helped the family not feel so isolated from Cleveland roots. Although I felt sad about losing such a longtime friend whom I still kept in touch with, I was comforted knowing I was of assistance to the family.