By COLlive reporter
Continuing to meet the growing demand of feeding the elderly in Israel, Colel Chabad, in partnership with Leket Israel, opened a new meal packaging facility in Lod. After the successful partnership at the Jerusalem location which opened in 2019, a second location has been selected to repack and distribute another 1000 meals a day.
The hot meals are packaged from excess fresh food ‘rescued’ by Leket Israel and distributed to the elderly, Holocaust survivors and those who are homebound. The Lod location will handle distribution of the nutritious and filling meals to Central Israel while the Jerusalem facility will continue to serve the Jerusalem area.
“While we were already working daily to provide for those in need, the effects of the coronavirus on employment as well as the safety of the elderly and infirm communities has made the need that much greater,” said Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad. “This second location will help us reach more people in a more efficient and cost effective manner.”
Colel Chabad, Israel’s longest running social services organization helping the needy and elderly in the Holy Land since 1788, will continue to coordinate the nationwide distribution.
The location is being dedicated by David and Eda Schottenstein from Bal Harbour Florida in honor of his father, Tuvia’s 70th birthday and will be staffed by Colel Chabad and Leket volunteers.
The family, originating in Columbus Ohio, has been supporting the work of Colel Chabad for 5 generations, with David’s father Tuvia, a noted philanthropist and supporter, great grandfather Efraim and great great grandfather Herschel donating over 100 years ago to feed the needy of Jerusalem.
“To see the continuity of support from one family is inspiring,” said Rabbi Duchman. “Chabad pride ourselves on teaching the importance of charity from an early age and the Schottenstein family are prime examples of Baalei Tzedaka and family commitment.”
Documents at Colel Chabad’s visual archives show the family’s history of contributions. Other families are presented at Pantry Packers in Jerusalem.
May you be blessed with a long healthy life! Nachas from kids, grandkids…like his great uncle tzvi hirsh sussman who had two keys. One to open the shul first in the morning and one to close his business for shabbas.