The Caring Committee is comprised of five subcommittees that provide support throughout the life cycle. We are here to help whether it is preparing meals for the families of new babies, or people who are ill; being there to provide support and friendship to those who are isolated; or being on hand for rituals upon dying and helping members set up Shiva when they have experienced a loss. We are here to engage our communities, to help each other as needs arise, and to do so together. Whether you want to help, or need services, contact us at caring@ansheemet.org.
The Torah teaches us that “All Jews are responsible for one another,” and the members who volunteer with the Chesed group take this teaching seriously. For any member of our community in need, they are there. Whether in happy times, as with the birth of a child, or in the most difficult times of sickness and mourning, Chesed volunteers are there to support our community in any way they can. Three pillar programs are as follows:
Service group comprised of men and women who perform the pre-burial preparations of a Jewish body; Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability. Volunteers should be 18 and older. Contact Barry Gross at bbgross39@gmail.com / 312-988-4010 or Merle Gross at merlekgross@gmail.com / 312-988-4010. Click here to learn more.
Have you or a loved one become ill and wanted to stay connected to the Anshe Emet community during this difficult time?
Would you or a loved one benefit from a visit by a community member?
Anshe Emet, as part of an initiative within the greater Chicago Jewish community, has assembled a group of volunteers to perform Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick). The Bikur Cholim Team at Anshe Emet performs the mitzvah of visiting the sick for the connection and continued healing of those who have become ill or impaired. Volunteers do not need prior experience, but rather a desire to learn about the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim and to be an active participant in Bikur Cholim for the Anshe Emet community. Acts of Bikur Cholim may take on many forms, such as offering spiritual strength, guidance and companionship, or simply sharing time together and swaping stories or watching a favorite television program. Training in the Jewish mitzvah of Bikur Cholim from Jewish texts to the hands on every day practice of visiting the sick is available.
For more information about receiving a Bikur Cholim visit please contact Rabbi D’ror Chankin-Gould at dcgould@ansheemet.org/773-868-5145. For more information or to become a volunteer, please contact one of the co-chairs, Julie Ann Sklaver at aesbcteam@gmail.com.
Friedman Place is an assisted lifestyle community for blind and visually impaired adults and is currently at full occupancy with 83 residents. The residents range from age 20 – 90 with the mean being 60 years of age. The facility is managed by an amazing group of women. They have many wonderful volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. Please feel free to read more about Friedman Place.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Beth Elman at beth@friedmanplace.org. To learn more, contact Anshe Emet member, Paulette Freed at paulettefreed@gmail.com.
| Volunteer Opportunity | Volunteer Activity; Time Commitment | Age Restrictions | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bikur Cholim | Visiting the sick; Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability |
18 and older | Julie Ann Sklaver at aesbcteam@gmail.com |
| Chevra Kadisha Click here to learn more. Lakeview Funeral Home 1458 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60657 Chicago Jewish Funerals 8851 Skokie Boulevard Skokie, IL 60077 |
Service group comprised of men and women who perform the pre-burial preparations of a Jewish body; Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability | 18 and older | Barry Gross at bbgross39@gmail.com 312-988-4010 or Merle Gross at merlekgross@gmail.com 312-988-4010 |
| Friedman Place 5527 N. Maplewood Chicago, IL 60625 |
Various opportunities; As often as you’d prefer | Age 16 and older, unless accompanied by an adult | Beth Elman at beth@friedmanplace.org |
| New Baby Meals | Cook a meal when a new baby is born; As often as you’d prefer | N/A | Jessica Bearak at jbearak18@gmail.com |
| Self Help Home 908 W. Argyle St. Chicago, IL 60640 |
Various opportunities; As often as you’d prefer | All ages | Paulette Freed at paulettefreed@gmail.com |
| Shiva Committee | Help prepare homes for Shiva, help serve food at Shiva, cook a meal for the immediate family; Involves being available upon short notice |
16 and older | Dianne Tesler at d.tesler@sbcglobal.net |
For a consultation with |
For a consultation with |
