SPRING 2021 FOR

A PUBLICATION OF Annual Report

OUR IMPACT ON CHICAGO WITH EVER-RISING COMMUNITY NEEDS

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The INSIDE THIS ISSUE Shas for A MESSAGE FROM FUERST...... 2 PESACH NUMBERS...... 3 Shidduchim COMMUNITY GEMACH...... 8 DISABILITY GUIDANCE ...... 9 Success! THE PERFORMING ARTS GRANT...... 9 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT...... 10 A RECAP AND PHOTO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES...... 11 SPREAD OF OUR 4TH CAR DONATIONS...... 11 CONSECUTIVE S4S CAMPAIGN PAGE 4 A MESSAGE FROM Dear Community Member, Rabbi This issue marks our first anniversary of assisting the Chicago community in managing the pandemic. Shmuel Though we are all stretched a little thinner, we have Fuerst seen tremendous acts of chesed and . We have seen people try to live as normally as possible and we have seen helpers put themselves in harm’s way to try to make that happen. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life. We mourn for those whom we’ve lost and for those whose lives have been forever changed. But we are also heartened by our community’s heroes including moros, rabbeim, store clerks, bus drivers, nurses, doctors, and countless other vital workers. They have inspired us by servicing the k’lal during this year of uncertainty. Even with hope this spring, we still foresee a long hard climb. During that recovery, you can be sure that with Hashem’s help and ongoing community support, Chicago Chesed Fund will be here to help.

With Gratitude to Hashem,

Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst Co-Founder, the Chicago Chesed Fund

On behalf of our clients, the Chicago Chesed Fund thanks the Jewish United Fund of Chicago and their amazing donors for the COVID assistance grants we have received over the past year.

2 ALL FOR ONE: SPRING 2021 // CHICAGOCHESEDFUND.ORG Thank you for BOTTLES OF GRAPE helping 6,781 JUICE & POUNDS OF MATZAH WINE

Chicago 10,322 make Pesach 4,408 CLEANING with 28,882 SUPPLIES POUNDS OF dignity. MEAT & POULTRY 13,128 GROCERY ITEMS 3,176 23,315 KITCHEN POUNDS OF PRODUCE UTENSILS

PERSONAL

CARE 1,956 4,128 ITEMS POUNDS OF FISH

CCF ordered ...AND MORE. 8700 lbs. of Did matzah for the community this you year. That’s the weight of an know? elephant! 3 Shas for Shidduchim: Uniting Chicago (and beyond!) for a Single Mission

The challenges met with shidduchim are not at Skokie (Hebrew Theological College). all unique to our Chicago community, but the R’ Aharon Langsner was then mesayem approach towards helping is. on behalf of the lomdim. The hadran was met with resounding shouts of “Mazel tov!” In January, hundreds of from hundreds of homes across America, as people from across the mesaymim and their families celebrated this country worked together great achievement. in a remarkable display After the siyum was made, HaRav Shmuel of achdus with one Fuerst addressed the viewers with divrei bracha. This was followed by a riveting speech cause: to help singles delivered by guest speaker, HaRav Yitzchok find their basherts. Margareten shlita of Cleveland, Manhig Ruchni of Shomer Shabbos and Menahel of Yeshiva For its fourth consecutive year, Shas for Derech HaTorah. Shidduchim was a tremendous success, with The program concluded with a siyum on the entire shas completed in just 24 hours. mishnayos made by Dr. Yigal Yahav, in memory Donors sponsored dafim as a z’chus for singles of his brother, Mr. Shalom Yahav, z”l. to find their zivugim, and lomdim learned on their behalf. The funds raised from Shas for Shidduchim benefits Chicago Chesed Fund’s many The siyum was viewed by hundreds nationally. matchmaking, marriage and wedding Dedicated l’iluy nishmas R’ Nachum Langsner, initiatives which are provided at zero cost for z”l, the event began with opening remarks from its beneficiaries. • Rabbi Zvi Zimmerman, mashgiach ruchani of

In Number of $122,818 Shadchanim one Shadchanim and dating coaching Miles towards dating year: Wedding expense assistance 4 $236,095 175 $33,047 Miles Towards new towards dating bridesmaid gowns Bridesmaid gowns New 322,512 available housewares $63,410 for brides CHICAGO CHESED FUND Annual Report

Twelve months ago feels like it could be twelve years ago: We have all been through so much pain, and tragedy, and we have all grown fatigued. As 2021 dawns, we still face tremendous uncertainty about the pandemic and its financial impact on our friends and neighbors. To give you an insider’s update on our work, we’d like to share our data in order to: • Quantify our work over the past year. • Show how 2020 brought tremendous new needs in our community. • Articulate our forecasts and needs for 2021. • Thank you on behalf of the more than 5,000 clients we serve.

There is ongoing uncertainty about the pandemic. At Chicago Chesed Fund, we cannot wait for uncertainty. Our clients simply do not have that luxury. We are compelled to act quickly and energetically to meet tomorrow’s needs. Our forecasts and planning for 2021 will lead us to dig deeper and commit further in support of those facing eviction, foreclosure, nutritional insecurity, and more.

6 ALL FOR ONE: SPRING 2021 // CHICAGOCHESEDFUND.ORG o seekers Job tlte assistance utilities Funds providedfor provided assistance Single parent provided Food vouchers eviction prevention Funds providedfor clothes/furniture People shoppingfor food pantry People fedfromthe $235,000 $219,000 120,000 $44,000 20 4,500 19 612 500

$224,000 $262,000 240,000 $44,000 20 20 5,500 620 819

$280,000 $288,000 275,000 $55,000 20 21 6,105 682 900 7 projections Warehouse photo credits Jess Smith / PHOTOSMITH At Chicago Chesed Fund, we Chicago provide a wide range of services for the entire Chicago community. Chesed Whether someone is making a simcha (celebration), hosting Fund: family and friends, or needs help navigating the mental health world, Chicago Chesed Fund is here to for the help everyone. Community Community Community Gemachs Services

We are the one-stop-shop for the many gemachs (free Chicago Chesed Fund is also the host for a wide-range of lend) of Chicago. Below, please find a list of departments services. The following are available to everyone, whether where all of our community members can borrow items. opening a new business and need a loan, beginning a new phase of life with shidduchim, or need help navigating government programs. Baby Equipment Gemach...... 847.679.7799 x110 Bridal Gowns & Headpieces...... 773.267.7174 Budgeting/Debt Consolidation/ Ateres Chaya Credit Card Negotiations...... 847.933.4230 Bridal Showers...... 773.267.7174 Fertility Treatment Expenses...... 773.539.4241 Ginat Shoshana Government Programs...... 847.679.7799 x166 Centerpieces Gemach...... 773.778.7205 Assistance signing up and navigating: Prop-a-Party • LIHEAP/CEDA • Unemployment Benefits (IDES) Chair & Table Gemach...... 773.539.5991 • Medicaid • People's Gas Share the Warmth (CEDA) Simcha Lend • SNAP (food stamps) • ComEd Residential Hardship (CEDA) Crinoline Gemach...... 908.910.7771 • UBR (water bill) • Home Weatherization (CEDA) Bridesmaid Gown Gemach...... 773.539.1069 • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, DHS) Jane Webster Simcha Boutique Interest-Free Loans...... 773.509.0802 Maternity Gown Gemach...... 773.835.3789 JobLink...... 773.866.1111 Medical Supplies Gemach...... 773.761.4624 or Routberg Memorial 847.679.7799 x110 Mental Health Referral Network....847.679.7799 x166 Bright Futures Purim Costume Gemach...... 847-679-7799 x 110 Simcha Link (Shadchanim)...... simchalink.org Sukkah Gemach…………....…………..847.679.7799 x110 Tool Gemach...... 847.679.7799 x110 Irving M. Footlik Memorial

Donation Drop-Off Locations: 7045 N Ridgeway Ave. Lincolnwood, IL 60712 (CCF) 3465 Techny Road (parking lot behind Darchei Noam) 2548 Jasper Court (Northbrook Community Synagogue)

Schedule a pickup! 8 847.679.7799 x110 • secondtimearoundchicago.org Disability Guidance

Chicago Chesed Fund is pleased to announce our newest program.

• Guidance We welcome Mrs. Andrea Tannenbaum as our new • Evaluations/Assessments specialist in providing assistance and guidance for • Early Intervention people with disabilities and their family members. Mrs. Tannenbaum’s background as a constituency • Legal Help specialist in former State Representative Kalish’s • Benefits/Medicaid Waivers office gives her tremendous experience navigating • Educational Options State agencies and funding streams for individuals • Emotional/Social Support with disabilities. Mrs. Tannenbaum can help with: • Availability of Government Funding and Support and Connections to the Appropriate Agency

YOU CAN REACH MRS. TANNENBAUM AT CHICAGO CHESED FUND AT 847-679-7799 X 108 OR [email protected] The Performing Arts Grant

Chicago Chesed Fund is proud to partner with the Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts to bring a performing arts experience to many Chicago Day School students as well as support our community’s educators. Educators participating in the performing arts element of the program will receive a food voucher from the Chicago Chesed Fund and/or Shearis Yisroel Pesach Fund. We are grateful to the Ralla Klepak Foundation for its kindness to our community’s educators and its vision in bringing the performing arts to our community’s children.

RALLA KLEPAK (1936-2019) was a fierce advocate, educator, and attorney. During her life she took on cases of the underserved in the Chicago area. One of her legacies is a foundation that advocates for performing arts experiences for students.

9 How did you get involved with volunteering at Chicago Chesed Fund? It’s important to me that my children be completely immersed in a home of chesed- I want giving to be something that comes as natural as possible to them. I’m grateful to be able to be home right now and I was looking for a way to give back to this community that I’ve come to love so much. What does a typical volunteer day look like for you? I go in and walk straight to the sorting room because there are just the best people working there. Then I’ll typically tag and hang up some cloth- ing while listening to a shiur on my phone. Honestly, it really feels like volunteer me-time. Why did you choose to volunteer at Chicago SPOTLIGHT Chesed Fund specifically? I didn’t know much about it. But I decided to tour it because my friend works there. I Mrs. was BLOWN AWAY. I kept stopping Mrs. I could not Moskowitz (the volunteer coordinator) as believe what Zahava she was giving me a tour. I could not be- lieve what was going on there. All I knew was going on was that I drop off bags of clothes and there. All I Berger somehow they get dispersed as neces- sary. knew was that In your opinion, what is the I drop off bags most important work that of clothes and CCF does? somehow they The complete dignity it provides to those in need. The clothing is updated get dispersed constantly to reflect styles and season as necessary. changes. As a shopping and cloth- ing fanatic, that means a lot to me. All women should feel beautiful and special and CCF gives them that. Do you have an anecdote about this cause/ organization that really moved you? One of my first days volunteering, I was about to hang a shirt that had the smallest little rip underneath the collar and I was told we would donate it elsewhere because we won’t put out anything that’s not perfect. This truly shows the way CCF cares about each and every client. If you could tell future CCF volunteers one thing, what would it be? Come tour the building- see what they do. It will change your life. •

10 ALL FOR ONE: SPRING 2021 // CHICAGOCHESEDFUND.ORG Children’s The potential for top quality neuropsychological assessments, Health working with a psychologist who is Mental Health familiar with the Day School system, at an affordable cost, and Services within a reasonable amount of time, is a life changer for parents. In recent months, Chicago Chesed Fund has stepped up its efforts in the area of Children’s Mental Health Services. In addition to our Bright Futures Mental Health Referral Rabbi Eli Samber Network, we have created an additional focus on two areas: Principal Testing and Diagnosis and direct services in schools. Arie Crown Hebrew Day School In partnership with Rush North Shore, Chicago Chesed Fund will help fund a neuropsychological pediatric evaluation Having the CCF therapy program in our for children demonstrating learning, yeshiva has helped our talmidim in so social, or developmental challenges. many ways. Such an implementation was long overdue, as it is such a necessity in In the beginning of 2021, Chicago Chesed Fund began the development of so many children. funding social workers in Arie Crown, JDBY-YTT and We are ever so grateful to CCF Veitzener . These social workers work within the for stepping up to the plate confines of the school to identify students challenged by and ensuring our children social emotional issues related to the pandemic and those receive the help that they which pre-date it. need. Often, testing of children is the first step toward accessing appropriate services in the school and in the community. Rabbi Nosson Muller Testing will be heavily discounted. Please call Rabbi Yossi Principal Fuerst for more information, spaces are limited. Tiferes Tzvi

Converting Used Cars to IN 2020 Make a Difference Many years ago, Chicago Chesed Fund potential employees get jobs. That’s our received a call from a donor asking if difference. 46 they could donate their car. The answer cars donated was, of course, yes. We sold that first We believe it is our car and used the proceeds to buy food responsibility to ensure $26,774 for families. that donations go where Proceeds from cars In 2020, we accepted 46 cars (seven they are needed most. used to help families from a single donor!). Of those cars, 42 To the clients of CCF, a car is more than were in usable condition. We sold 24 of cars given to transportation - it is a vehicle carrying a those and the other 18 were given to community family toward a brighter future. • people to improve their lives and help 18 members 11 7045 N. RIDGEWAY AVENUE LINCOLNWOOD, IL 60712

SPONSORSHIPS A PROJECT OF AVAILABLE! Out

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