A year ago, all tzedakah and chesed organizations in the central Israeli village of Kfar Chabad agreed to unite until a single charitable entity. It was named Kupat Hakfar Hameuchedes.
This unprecedented achdus has proven to be a crucial move as locals faced the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of Lubavitcher families that require financial assistance grew at an extraordinary and worrying rate as industries collapse during the ongoing shutdowns and isolation requirements.
At first, the sum of money needed in order to meet this challenge seemed unattainable. “But with the power of achdus, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we successfully met the challenge and provided assistance to all of the needy families in the best possible manner,” people involved said.
Over the past year, financial assistance was kindly given to 245 families for Tishrei 5781. Before Pesach, 205 families received support. This is in addition to the dozens of needy families that receive regular financial assistance throughout the year.
Hundreds of additional families were helped through the “FamilyPlus” program that grants loans to residents. The program assists residents in receiving the government welfare they are entitled to, the Covid-19 assistance card, the municipal property tax discount, and more.
What is even more fascinating is that the idea came from the Rebbe who has mentioned many times the great mitzvah achieved through a unified charity fund. Kupat Hakfar Hameuchedet functions like a personal fund for each of the donors, through which they fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah in the best way possible.
The fund is now running a Charidy campaign to support families in need for this coming year
“As Rosh Hashanah 5782 approaches, we must come together again as one family in order to replenish the fund and ensure that every single family in Kfar Chabad that requires assistance for Tishrei, and the rest of the year, is able to receive it in the most dignified manner possible,” they said.
Their plan for this coming year is to open a wedding assistance fund that will help Kfar Chabad families preparing for weddings, so that their simcha should be truly complete and joyous. The catalyst for this fund was a generous donor who has kindly undertaken to give a significant contribution towards this cause, as a partner of all of the supporters of the fund.
“We need your donations to the united charity fund in order to assist all of the residents of Kfar Chabad who need it,” the people involved with the fund asked.
