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.