Those In Need
There are services and programs available in our community to help the unemployed, under-employed, and those who are struggling financially. These programs include the West Hempstead Food Bank,Tomchei Shabbos, and established funds. We encourage you to use the services and programs available. All these services and programs are here to help in the most sensitive, discreet, and respectful manner.
Bruce Wenger Food Bank of West Hempstead
The Bruce Wenger Food Bank of West Hempstead offers fresh food, a fully-stocked pantry of dry goods to those in our neighborhood in need of food. The distribution methods have been designed to ensure confidentiality and the anonymity of the recipients; even the volunteers involved with the Food Bank do not know the identity of the recipients.
Store-bought dry goods can be deposited in the Food Bin located outside the Rabbi’s office, at the other shuls in West Hempstead or at I&D Glatt. The food bin and I&D is only for food bought at I&D and then donated. I&D gives a 15% discount for the donated food. Checks can be made payable to the Young Israel of West Hempstead with ‘Food Bank’ indicated on the memo line.
An individual’s identity is not a requirement to obtain food. Visit the website to understand how the Food Bank provides services to those in need in West Hempstead while maintaining complete confidentiality. whfoodbank.org
Stop & Shop Food Card Program
Stop and Shop cards are available confidentially from Rabbi Kelemer. You can use these cards to buy food at any Stop and Shop Supermarket. The cards are the same cards that are available for purchase at the supermarkets, ensuring confidentiality and discreetness.
Rabbi's Fund and Sarah Moskowitz Free Loan Fund
These funds are to provide those in need with significant financial help as determined by Rabbi Goller. The funds are administered by Rabbi Goller and obviously all requests are confidential and discreet. You may contact Rabbi Goller at (516) 481-7429, extension #1.
The Sarah Moskowitz Free Loan Fund was started in 1994, with the express purpose of providing interest free loans to members of the shul who have lost their jobs or suffered some other temporary financial setback. The fund was dedicated in memory of Avi Moskowitz's mother, Sarah Moskowitz, who was known for her chesed activities and who ran a free loan fund in Boro Park for many years before her untimely death at the age of 45 in 1978.
The fund is administered by Rabbi Goller and he is the only person who is aware of the identity of the recipients of loans. Since its inception, the fund has made of loans totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Because the money raised is loaned rather than given as gifts, the repayment of the loans enables the money to circulate over and over again.