Our Pesach Predicament

When my phone rang and I saw that it was Josh Mehlman calling, I knew I had to answer.

“We need your help,” said Josh. “They’re closing the roads and we will never be able to deliver everyone’s food in time!”

I inquired further. By they, Josh meant the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who had inadvertently scheduled work during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. By everyone, Josh meant our children’s rebbeim. By we, Josh meant Chasdei Lev.

Chasdei Lev is a fine organization that provides Pesach orders to our children's Rebbeim. Its mandate is essentially based on a number of principles: 1) Pesach is expensive. 2) Everyone can certainly use a little help this time of year. And, perhaps most importantly, 3) It is a great mitzvah to show hakaros haTov and give back to those who give us so much.

Of course something had to be done. So I quickly called Shawn Campbell, District Manager of Community Board 14. We are fortunate to have an efficient, dedicated public servant like Shawn who knows how to make things happen. I explained to her that the entire areas bounded by Avenues K through M and East 13th through East 15th were scheduled to be blocked, and that traffic on East 15th between K and L was to be completely halted. In short, we were looking at closing down all traffic in the heart of Flatbush... and Chasdei Lev’s Pesach distribution area. Shawn understood the problem and made the necessary phone calls. Within hours, our problem was solved.

Now the real work began.

Josh called me Sunday morning. He insisted that I come out to see what Chasdei Lev really does. I had plenty of Pesach preparations of my own—like all of you—but I went along to watch. And I’m glad I did because what I saw was extraordinary.

Drawing from relationships with manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, Chasdei Lev secures the very best prices on various grocery items. First they purchase and warehouse large quantities of food and supplies, then Chasdei Lev sorts through the orders and arranges the shipments into individual units, consisting of the basic food necessities for Pesach. Each unit is evaluated at around $1800 and purchased by Chasdei Lev for $1200.

Rebbes are offered the opportunity to place an order for only 25% of the overall package cost. That’s a significant savings. By using the organization’s buying power, and thanks to generous contributions from individuals, families actually receive packages worth six-times more than what they paid for.

I was simply amazed as I watched a well-coordinated effort that consisted of creating numerous distribution points. At any one of these given points, a rebbe would pull up his car or van and be greeted by volunteers who would then proceed to help him load his vehicle with pre-ordered, pre-packaged goods. The rebbes were treated with the utmost respect—as if they were prize customers at Tiffany’s (I imagine…I’ve never actually shopped at Tiffany’s).

Everything was on pallets and wrapped securely and professionally. Even the volunteers were taken care of—by other volunteers who had made lunch for them. Everyone was helping everyone.

In all, Chasdei Lev marshaled a small army of well over 150 caring and dedicated volunteers who processed orders, packed them, and loaded them in rebbes’ vehicles like professionals. The warehouse space, along with trucks and forklifts, were all 100% donated. Managers, bookkeepers and the entire operations staff were made up of hard-working individuals who donated their time and expertise while asking nothing in return.

Finally, the last two stops: Frozen goods and then a gift from Artscroll accompanied by the following letter:

As a rebbi, your mesirus nefesh yomam volaylah is apparent throughout the year. We truly value and appreciate your devotion to our children. Therefore, we want to demonstrate our hakoras hatov by helping to ease the burden of providing for your family for Yom Tov. Thank you again, Chasdei Lev

Of course, Chasdei Lev isn’t the only organization doing wonderful work for people who need help during Pesach. B”H, the Jewish community is blessed with a network of organizations and individuals who genuinely rise to the occasion. Mi k’amcha Yisroel? I am so very fortunate to represent so many of you.

Wishing everyone a kosher, freilichen Pesach.

Simcha Felder

This article originally appeared in The Flatbush Jewish Journal and is reprinted by permission.

What Stands by Our Fathers and Us

If anyone thinks it’s only rosy in the largest Jewish community in America, they’re mistaken. Brooklyn is a beautiful place to live, but the prejudice still exists. Even in Flatbush and Boro Park, the district I represent, the deep-seated hatred can sometimes be frightening.

For not just one alone…but in every generation they rise against us to destroy us.

I recently received email from two constituents that brought these words to mind. Both included words I can’t repeat.

“The problem is the Jews,” explained one. “Stop having 7 kids per family and be normal like the rest of us!” wrote another. “You people have beaten the system too many times!”

You people.

These notes were brimming with vicious accusations and palpable hatred. It hurt just to read them.

One need not look to Iran or ISIS for threats against Jews, nor to the stabbings in Jerusalem. On February 11, we saw a Jew stabbed in Crown Heights for being a Jew. We have anti-Semitism right at CUNY where a yarmulke-wearing professor was called a “Zionist pig” at a faculty meeting and Jewish students are verbally harassed.

In every generation. But Vehi She’amda, La’avotainu Velanu. And this (Hashem’s blessings and the Torah) is what kept our fathers and us surviving.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Pesach is conducting ourselves the way our parents did at the seder. Everything from the way we set up our Ke’ara, attitudes toward gebrokts/non-gebrokts and kitniyot, and even how we hide (or find) the afikoman reflects what we saw at home.

In 1952, my father, Rabbi Zvi Mordechai Felder (z”tl) opened his shul on 18th Avenue. In those days, that area was like a suburb of Boro Park—most of the Jews only lived up to 16th. I don’t recall seeing any social service organizations nearby. My father and mother were the social services.

Before Pesach, people came to sell their chumatz, and it was customary to give a little money to the shul when the Rav performed this task. There wasn’t a fee—some people gave more, others less. Regardless of what anyone gave at any time of year, my father asked if they were sure that the donation wasn’t too much. But for my father, selling chumatz was a detailed process that afforded him an opportunity to learn about people. He was a very good listener and during the process he sometimes discovered issues and needs that a family was facing. And then, quietly if possible, he’d help them.

(Why no examples about my mother? My mother, ad meah v’esrim, [until 120] does not appreciate being talked about.)

Today, B”H, numerous organizations of every type have cropped up. As the needs grow, more organizations join them. I won’t list them. First, it would take more space than I’m allotted… And imagine if I left one out! Suffice it to say that these organizations are a genuine brocha.

But it’s more than a fleet of organizations, because there’s one thing that has not changed in my neighborhood—and in communities throughout the world—and that is the desire the help others, and, more, to do so without fanfare, as I witnessed as a child.

It was only last week—the same week those scurrilous, hateful emails arrived—that I received a call from someone whose neighbors were struggling financially. “Is there anything you can think of that I can do for this family?” the man asked. He wasn’t asking for my help—just a suggestion as to how he could help.

These things happen all the time. The fact is that while chesed organizations exist, there are many individuals throughout our community—men and women that no one knows about—who are regularly engaged in helping others. They just care.

In every generation they rise against us to destroy us; and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand!

In every generation, Hashem comes through for us. And in every generation, our community comes through for each other. You people. Our people.

This time of year, the outpouring of chesed is more visible. Just look around. Pesach is a beautiful Yom Tov but even the basic necessities of the holiday cost a lot more than usual and families that typically struggle to get by are hit even harder—but there’s plenty of help, B”H.

Helping others. It’s a great tradition all people can be proud of.

Simcha Felder

This article originally appeared in THE JEWISH PRESS and is reprinted by permission.

FELDER FIGHTS PLASTIC BAG TAX

Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) is proposing legislation to protect residents and small businesses from taxes or fees on the use of plastic bags. Senator Felder’s legislation would prevent New York City from collecting a tax from retailers or their customers whenever plastic bags are used for purchases.

“New York families do not need another regressive tax,” said Senator Felder. “Going back to my days on the NY City Council, I’ve been disheartened every time I’ve heard the absurd plastic bag tax legislation introduced. Nickel and diming people—asking them to pay for paper and plastic bags at retail and grocery stores—places an undue financial burden on countless New Yorkers who are already struggling.

“This is neither the first nor will it be the last time that the city is trying to raise taxes under the guise of being eco-friendly. But there are plenty of eco-friendly initiatives that can be introduced without burdening families and small businesses.”

While taxation authority in New York is vested exclusively in the state, local municipalities have attempted to circumvent this by enacting fees on customers (collected by retailers). These methods encourage regressive policies that punish low-income families, senior citizens, and other vulnerable New Yorkers.

“The last thing we want is to make New York even less affordable,” said Senator Felder. “Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have already resulted in greater food insecurity across the state. We need to ensure that policies enacted by local municipalities do not make things worse.”

Senator Felder Highlights Pesach Sanitation Pickups/ Chometz Burning Schedule

Senator Simcha Felder is happy to inform the community that there will be additional sanitation pickups in his district.

In Flatbush (Community Board 14):

·         For areas with regular pickups on Mondays/Thursdays, there is an additional collection on Friday, April 22^nd.

·         For areas with regular pickups on Tuesdays/Fridays or Wednesdays/Saturdays, there is an additional collection on Thursday, April 21^st.

·         For all residents, there will be an additional Friday recycling collection from 12 midnight to 8:00 am.

·         All recycling materials must be placed at curbside on the evening of Thursday, April 21^st for collection on Friday, April 22^nd.

·         All regular refuse materials, including chometz, should be placed at curbside no later than 11:00 am on Friday, April 22^nd.

In Boro Park (Community Board 12):

·         Sanitation is now picking up bulk items and will continue to do so until Friday, April 22^nd. Items should be placed out for collection as early as possible. Cardboard boxes should be tied up and placed outside neatly.

·         The entire district will receive a recycling pickup on Thursday night, April 21^st, into Friday morning, starting at midnight until 8:00 am.

·         The entire district will also receive a regular garbage pickup on Friday morning, April 22^nd, from 6:00 am until 2:00 pm.

In all areas:

·         Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped (use bed-bug bag or plastic). If a mattress or box spring is unwrapped, Sanitation will not collect it and you may be fined $100.

·         Electronic items will not be picked up by the Sanitation Department and you may be fined $100. Electronic items should be brought to the local garage on 19th Avenue and 56th Street.

·         Department of Sanitation policy requires a special appointment for removal of discarded refrigerators and/or air conditioners. Arrangements can be made by calling 311 prior to the week of April 18^th to ensure pickup before Pesach.

Chometz Burning Schedule for Friday, April 22^nd:

·         All chometz burning must be completed by 11:34 am. The Fire Department will strictly enforce this curfew.

·         Please burn only chometz. Do not burn flammable or combustible items or chometz enclosed in foil wrap.

·         Do not use paint thinners, aerosol cans, sprays, lighter fluid or any flammable liquids to ignite the fire. These items have caused serious accidents in the past.

·         Only official fires with permits will be allowed.

·         For information on fire locations, contact:

o   Shomrim of Boro Park 718-831-7080

o   Shomrim of Flatbush 718-338-9453

o   Chaveirim 718-431-8181

o   Community Board 12  718-851-0800

o   Community Board 14  718-859-6357

“Best wishes for a kosher and feilichen Pesach!” – Simcha