My brother's keeper
Chabad's "kindness" project seeks to serve community
By Shani McManus
Journal Staff Writer
One
of the natural characteristics of being a Jew is doing acts of
kindness, says Rebbitzen Chani Ezagui of Chabad of Palm Beach,
explaining the motivation behind the shul's new outreach project, "The
Inner Circle." "Doing simple kindness to others is what we are all
about, beginning with our forefather Abraham, whose whole being was
chesed (kindness)," she says.
The Inner Circle project, launched
recently with an orientation luncheon meeting at the shul for
prospective volunteers, will comprise a number of community programs.
One is its "Kosher Meals on Wheels," which will distribute meals not
only to the needy, but also to those who are ill or recovering from an
operation or a death in the family. Volunteers will also deliver meals
to women following childbirth, and to newcomers to the community.
Another
Inner Circle program is its "Fooderonomy and Clothing Drive," which
will allow those in need to obtain food from the shul's pantry, in
addition to clothing and other needed items.
An additional
program will offer professional counseling, as well as a "listening ear"
to those in need of guidance or others who may be facing challenges in
life.
The shul has been quietly doing acts of kindness for
years, Ezagui says, but not on as large a scale. "Doing a person a favor
is what we are here in the world for," she says. "When you go out and
do for others, you get strength yourself."
After getting
together with two shul members, Dana Frances and Brooke Berger, the
three women decided to get others involved and make the project a
community effort. As a result, the Inner Circle program was conceived,
with Frances and Berger serving as co-chairs.
"The Inner Circle
is one of the most beautiful kindnesses you can do," Berger says. "It's a
mitzvah. And the food we deliver is packed in beautiful gift baskets
with ribbons, so it doesn't look like charity. This is a very discreet
program."
Even the distribution of food and clothing is done by special appointment, so it can be done discreetly, she adds.
Co-chair
Francis became involved, she says, because "there was really a need for
this kind of program," and because she enjoys helping others. "This
program is wonderful," she says. "It's bringing us together as a
community."
The Inner Circle has more than 30 volunteers, even
though it has just kicked off, Frances adds. Volunteers cook the meals,
wrap the gift baskets and make deliveries to areas in Palm Beach
Gardens, Jupiter and Lake Worth.
"People should get involved in this program, because it's a real mitzvah," she says.
In
addition to its many outreach programs, the Inner Circle also will have
monthly classes about various topics such as health and safety, Ezagui
says, and will offer support groups as well. The objective is to provide
kindness and help to those members of the community who might not have
anywhere else to obtain it.
"Sometimes, we get caught up in our
own materialistic world, and then we see there's a need out there and
our priorities become different," she says. "All our learning and wisdom
is worthwhile if it results in deeds."
For more information on
becoming an Inner Circle volunteer, or to donate canned food, clothing
or funds to help the project, call 561-624-7004.