Misaskim of Nassau and Rockaway and their initiative for yesomim and almanos, Project Yedid, held a gala Melaveh Malkah last Motza’ei Shabbos showing appreciation to its solid base of devoted volunteers. The lavish event, held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chaim Schulhof, featured divrei Torah from master mechanech HaRav Yaakov Bender shlit”a, and a mentalist experience by the great David Blatt. Coordinator Rabbi Moshe Hamel delivered remarks and messages of thanks and appreciation to three standout members: Aaron Shlomo Appelbaum, Menachem Jacobson, and Bentzion Kaminetzky. A delicious buffet including milkshakes provided by Partini Events was topped off by the melodies of Kumzitz.
Misaskim’s mission is to provide support and assistance to individuals experiencing crisis or tragedy by providing them with vital bereavement services, all-the-while safeguarding the dignity of the deceased. Misaskim’s wide array of services for the bereaved include physical and moral support that assist the grief-stricken with their many challenges during crisis or loss.
Misaskim volunteers operate under the radar. The busiest days, like erev and Motza’ei Pesach, might be overwhelming for some, but for Misaskim volunteers, time is found. “No call goes unanswered,” was the motto of founder Reb Yankie Meyer z”l, and his legacy continues very much in the same fashion. Those zocheh to see Reb Yankie in action, and those who have joined since his petirah in September 2022, have heard of his vast impact, and push forward as a z’chus for an ilui neshamah for Reb Yaakov Michael ben Yisrael. Misaskim of Nassau and Rockaway, founded three years ago this month, was one of Reb Yankie’s many visions. His hands-on approach to get the branch moving on its current path at a Far Rockaway get-together leaves an indelible mark on those present.
Brooklyn volunteers covered the area in years past, and Queens Misaskim volunteers like me and Shaya Llyod, amongst others, would chip in when the need arose. But it was clear that a new division was required. Yankie Meyer tasked Eli Kreindler, a Queens Chaverim Coordinator, and Moshe Vatch, Queens Misaskim Founder, to find a regional coordinator for the formation of a branch to cover the call volume for the 5 Towns, Long Island, and Far Rockaway. They successfully secured Rabbi Hamel to lead the division, giving the Boro Park headquarters relief.
Rabbi Hamel has since grown the outlet into a vibrant and driven team of 35 volunteers who stop at nothing to ease the lives of those in bereavement. Their touch leaves an everlasting impression on the lives of those they have aided. In the last year alone, the group has setup over 200 shiv’ah homes for 1,020 aveilim, bringing Sifrei Torah to 108 of those families, and 3,680 folding chairs for those who came to pay respects.
These volunteers include a handful from Queens Misaskim who often find themselves in Nassau and have taken on double duties. They include Elchanan Aronov, Dovid Bakst, Hillel Englard, Eli Kreindler, Mordechai Lapp, AZ Love, Eliyahu Love, and Avishai Shachar.
The Project Yedid branch of the group delivered 297 packages for school, camp, and Yamim Tovim to widows and orphans in their coverage area. This included an astounding 965 g’bentched bills as a special part of the Chanukah packages distributed to yesomim in the region. For Purim, 401 meals were brought to ease and brighten the holiday for affected families.
Misaskim is known to go above and beyond for those suffering a loss. The international division has been on call as well. Recently, a Sderot family who has yet to return home since the onset of the war against Hamas needed to sit shiv’ah, and desired to spend the time in the family home. But their residence lacked food, as it has been vacant for some five months. Misaskim ensured meal deliveries for the mourners.
Next, I will highlight a story from Dallas, Texas, where a gentleman passed and was held by the Medical Examiner’s Office because they were short-staffed. The family notified Misaskim, who would not stand for the five-day timeframe until the niftar could be released. Headquarters took the time to detail Jewish burial customs and procured the release that erev Shabbos. However, a new problem arose when the chosen airline informed the family that they do not fly bodies. With no option, the family prepared to drive the niftar all Sunday for a k’vurah the following day. Misaskim saved the day, arranging for a private plane to transport the aron early Sunday, allowing for the niftar to be interred that very day.
I will conclude with a final struggle faced by a local almanah who desired to have her mezuzos inspected. Seeing the efforts of Project Yedid to bring her menuchah for the chagim, she dialed Misaskim’s hotline. A local volunteer was dispatched to her residence and arranged for a local sofer to check the parchments that were thankfully rendered kosher. That very day, the same volunteer reinstalled the mezuzos, giving this widow a small bit of respite.
Misaskim’s work may not be lifesaving, but it is critical, and it is fueled by the community’s volunteers who always step up and ask for no appreciation in return.
By Shabsie Saphirstein,
Misaskim volunteer
