Girls Volunteer for 4 Pilot Cities

Showing an exemplary spirit of volunteerism, 15 Crown Heights high school girls trudged through the snow on a few evenings this past week to volunteer their time.

Together, they packed elegant Mishloach Manos bags for the Lamternchik Project, which aims to foster relationships between Chabad Anash communities around the world and their Jewish neighbors.

The Mishloach Manos will be sent to participating Anash in the four “pilot cities” where the Lamplighter Project has been launched – Chicago, London, South Florida and Buenos Aires, who will in turn deliver them to Jewish families in their neighborhood that they are trying to be Mekarev.

The Purim packages include champagne, hand-dipped chocolate hamantaschen and rum cordials. Special thanks to friends of the project at Wine by the Case and Oh Nuts! for their assistance.

“Despite having just finished a long day at school (during midterm and Production season!), the girls arrived with fresh energy and a contagiously positive attitude about volunteering,” said Rabbi Shalom Lipszyc, a project coordinator for the Lamplighter Project. “These girls are the thankless, unsung heroes of Crown Heights that deserve our appreciation,” he said.

The girls were treated to pizza, sponsored by Sauce N Cheese, and Sushi, sponsored by Mendy’s Sushi Bar at the JCM.

The organizers and volunteers of the Lamplighter Project have high expectations for the upcoming Purim program, following the tremendous success they witnessed on Chanukah: over two hundred new couples worldwide joined the thousands of like-minded Chasidim to sign on as volunteers for this endeavor.

The Lamplighter Project is developed by Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus, a division of Iggud Hashluchim, in conjunction with shluchim and community activists from around the globe.

Before the Yomim Toivim, five or six times a year, each member of the Lamternchik project receives a kit that includes comprehensive guides and a beautiful gift to give to the families they will visit in their homes. Members are also able to tap into the many resources Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus has developed (and continues to develop), such as web tools, handbooks, conferences etc.

Members of Anash in the participating cities (Chicago, London, South Florida and Buenos Aires) can join The Lamplighter Project by signing up online at joinlamplighters.com.

Seed money for The Lamplighter Project is provided by the Meromim Foundation. The project’s printing needs were provided by The Print House.