Do you have a Hesed need that needs to be addressed? Do you know of an ill person whom you would like clergy or Hesed to reach? Please fill out the information at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/5aAiduzc0CYN8CNC3

What is Hesed?   Loving kindness.  Compassion.  Listening.  Support.  Connection.  Meeting Needs.

Hesed volunteers seek to support congregants in need in a variety of ways. We offer a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen when needed. We offer a meal when you are ill, recuperating from surgery, or during or after shiva. We offer rides to the doctor, to services and events at TBI, or other important errands. We offer visits to those who are ill, homebound, or otherwise need a friendly face and a compassionate listener.  Hesed offers this and so much more to our congregants who are dealing with injury and illness, mourning the loss of a loved one or dealing with one of life’s many challenges.

How you can help.  Our ongoing committees always need volunteers. Whatever time you are generously willing to offer is greatly appreciated.  Please review the teams below to see how you can help.

Cooking Meals Team – Check the TBI calendar, What’s Nu? and Ma’aseem for upcoming dates when we will be preparing meals to be frozen for when we need them.  We will have a variety of dates and times available to help.  If you have a favorite recipe that freezes well, please share it!  Additionally, if you are hosting an event at TBI and would like to donate any left over food, please let us know.  Whether it can be frozen or not, we will do our best to ensure it does not go to waste.  We also hope to provide Thanksgiving and other holiday baskets, as well as to continue to feed our police and fire volunteers in Whitpain Township who work on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Visiting the Ill Team (Bikkur Hollim) - Volunteers visit the sick and homebound to lend a supportive ear or shoulder.  We will be offering training for those who would like to volunteer but aren’t sure if they have the skills necessary.  Just being a compassionate listener with genuine concern for the well-being of our congregants is enough.   

Transportation Team - There are times when our fellow congregants need a ride to a doctor’s visit, help with errands, a ride to synagogue services or an event, or to visit a loved one in the hospital or other care facility.   If you have some time to spare and would be willing to help with this important task, please let us know.

Phone Call Team – Volunteers reach out to congregants with a simple phone call to check in, wish congregants a Shabbat Shalom or Chag Semeach, and see if there is any other way Hesed can offer support. 

Meal Delivery Team – What happens to all those delicious meals we cook?  Volunteers are needed to deliver them  to congregants periodically, especially when recovering from illness or surgery, mourning the loss of a loved one, or dealing with other life challenges and transitions.

Young Families Support Team – Often there are challenges in what are supposed to be joyous, wonderful experiences.   The Young Families Support Team is here to listen and offer assistance.

Education Team – Volunteers plan opportunities for us to learn more about Hesed and work with Rabbi Danielle and the Religious School students to broaden their understanding of and exposure to Hesed. 

Mitzvah Day Team – These volunteers will be working closely with Rabbi Danielle to plan Mitzvah Day experiences for the Religious School and the entire congregation.

Hevra Kadisha (Holy Society/Jewish Burial Society) – These anonymous volunteers honor the dead in accordance with Jewish tradition in preparing the deceased for burial. 

You can also be part of the Hesed Committee if you have enthusiasm, energy, and a yearning to share your ideas with our volunteers.  Please check What’s Nu? for the most up to date information.

What to do if you need assistance from Hesed: Please know that we try to reach out to all congregants who might need some assistance but we don't always know who you are.  If you need support and don’t know who to ask or if you know of a congregant who could use our help, please call the main office (610-275-8797), Emily Cutler’s cell phone (215-499-0488) or email hesed@tbibluebell.org or ercutler@verizon.net.  

All requests will be kept confidential, unless you choose otherwise.  Please reach out when needed.  Of course, Hesed greatly appreciates your support.  In order to continue to provide what we do, donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Please consider a gift to the Hesed Fund.

Other ways Hesed can help:

Bereavement Support (Nihum Aveilim) – Volunteers ensure that those in our community who are mourning the loss of loved ones have support following funeral services and throughout shiva. 

Mi Sheberach List  - We continue to add names of TBI congregants or your loved ones who are ill to the Mi Sheberach list for healing prayers.  Contact Aparna Iyer (610-275-8797 x 101 or comm@tbibluebell.org).  Provide the person’s English name plus (if applicable) his or her Hebrew name including the Hebrew name of the mother (e.g., Hershel ben Rachel). We read all the names aloud at minyan. TBI members and members of their immediate families will be maintained on the list until you ask us to remove them. Other names will be removed after 30 days. If prayers are needed longer than that, we ask that you contact us again to ask that the name remains on the list. Please notify Aparna as soon as the name can be removed.

Support Groups:

Widow & Widower Support Group:  Please check the TBI calendar for dates when this group meets.  This is a peer led support group offering an opportunity for those who If you are looking for a community of TBI people experiencing similar thoughts, feelings, and life changes to you because of the loss of a spouse, please consider attending this session or a future session when you feel ready.

Caregivers Support Group:  Providing care for loved ones is hard. Join Rabbi Rozenwasser and other caregivers as we support each other in our experience of taking care of those we love.  Sometimes we care for loved ones with acute physical challenges. Sometimes we care for loved ones with longer-term mental or chronic challenges. Sometimes we feel a need to take care of ourselves, too, but when do we have the time?  Join Rabbi Rozenwasser for a safe space caregiver group. All are welcome.  All meetings are at 7 pm.  Please check the latest Shavua Tov for upcoming dates.