On Sunday, Chasdei Lev hosted a Pesach food and supply distribution event at Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens. The event was orchestrated by a local volunteer effort that included the assistance of many elementary-aged yeshivah boys who dedicated their afternoon to the cause. The event honored rebbeim and teachers, celebrating their dedication to education with a show of gratitude.
Dubbed “Devoted to the Most Devoted,” Chasdei Lev’s mission gives back to our rebbeim, teachers, and their families in appreciation for their tremendous devotion to our children. The group strives to ensure that the rebbeim of our communities are able to go into Yom Tov with peace of mind. Yom Tov on any budget is expensive, and for rebbeim with large families on a typical rebbe’s salary, it can be daunting. By collaborating with yeshivahs and leveraging bulk purchases from manufacturers, Chasdei Lev enables educators to buy food and household necessities at greatly reduced prices in a dignified and respectful manner. Utilizing a combination of donations and subsidies, as well as the purchasing power of buying in bulk, Chasdei Lev provides a service where rebbeim are able to order large quantities of necessities at a quarter of the standard price.
Ahead of Pesach, the Queens tribute was extended to over 200 devoted rebbeim and moros. Volunteers loaded a pre-ordered pallet stocked with Pesach essentials, including frozen items, wine, paper and plastic supplies, and many odds and ends. Each educator was treated with great dignity and kavod, a chizuk to all present, allowing them to continue in their avodas hakodesh with simchah and menuchas hanefesh. A separate handful of volunteers stayed up late into the night on Motza’ei Shabbos unloading and lining the orders for pick up on Sunday.
On behalf of Queens Shmira, Shaya Llyod and I provided traffic safety at 124th Street and Metropolitan Avenue from midafternoon until well after 6 p.m.
The rebbeim were also given a special havdalah kit. Guided by HaRav Reuven Feinstein, the organization’s efforts have positively impacted over 35,000 educators globally since its inception.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
