FoundedESTABLISHED 1902 by Theodor 1902 Herzl Vol. 211 No. 30 JULY 24, 2020 — 3 AV, 5780 www.TheJewishAdvocate.com CeCleblerbartaitnign g1 1181 6y eyaerasr so fo fs esrevrviciec et too tthhee JJeewwiisshh ccoommmmuunniittyy aass iittss paper of rreeccoorrdd CORONAVIRUS IN OUR COMMUNITY Yad Chessed is solely focused on providing direct support in three ways: emergency financial assistance, grocery gift cards, and guidance Yad Chessed offers about available resources and benefits. In addition to helping those affected by the pandemic, the agency help during pandemic continues to help many who were struggling before the Covid-19 crisis. “Our typical client is us,” explains Deborah Freed, associate executive director and one of the lead social workers at Yad Chessed. “Someone like you and me, and they have multiple challenges that hit all at once, like an illness on top of a job Nancy Kriegel loss or a broken-down car. If we get a call, we have to be here for them.” The initiative seeks to help those who “Greater Boston is fortunate to are experiencing economic distress have several organizations that and lost income due to the Covid-19 collaborate to serve those in need,” crisis. Specifically, people who were says Kriegel. “CJP, as Greater Boston’s financially stable before, and may Jewish federation, plays a key role in have some assets or savings, but now ensuring the vulnerable among us are need help in the short-term. With taken care of. Its ongoing support of support from CJP and CJP Yad Chessed and our partner Coronavirus Emergency Fund and agencies, as well as the CJP Yad Chessed donors, the agency will Coronavirus Fund and the CJP work to provide immediate financial PHOTO: CNADEZHDA1906/CANVAS Warmline, enable us to carry out our assistance as well as advice about “The number of people mission.” available resources. SpecialBy Sheryl to The HirschAdvocate In addition to Yad Chessed’s “By lending a hand now, Yad requesting assistance has increased by partnership with CJP, the 50 percent and we are responding Chessed hopes to mitigate anxiety, WALTHAM – Serving as the collaboration with its sister social emotional distress and avoid swiftly,” Kriegel says. “We are a small services agencies is essential in new executive director of Yad and nimble agency and are able to be downward spirals toward food Chessed during a pandemic is meeting the wide range of needs in insecurity and deeper financial flexible in quickly meeting the needs our community. According to Freed, challenging. However, Nancy Kriegel of each client. Whether it’s helping Yad Chessed’s close relationships with hardship,” Kriegel says. is finding it extremely rewarding to pay for a new water heater, eye glasses, Jewish Family & Children’s Service “While the future remains be leading the Jewish social services transportation to appointments, or (JF&CS), Jewish Family Service of uncertain and we are likely agency at a time when its mission is the rent, we are here for those in our Metrowest (JFS), Jewish Vocational experiencing what will be long- more vital than ever. Yad Chessed, community who need support.” Services (JVS) and others, ensure term struggles for many,” she “hand of loving kindness,” serves Kriegel joined the Waltham-based maximum support for each person. adds, “our clients and community those struggling with financial “Yad Chessed recently split the can be sure of one thing: Yad agency in late December after 12 cost for a funeral with another hardship and food insecurity. years at Combined Jewish Chessed is dedicated to being part “The last several months have agency,” Freed notes. “We also shared of what will be a complex Philanthropies, overseeing its efforts the cost for a client’s move, so she definitely been stressful,” notes to strengthen area Jewish day schools. solution to help those who have could live in a more affordable lost jobs and who face food and Kriegel, “however, our community is Previous to CJP, she was a founder apartment.” coming through with such generosity and co-president of Gateways: Access With unemployment financial insecurity.” skyrocketing, and many businesses If you or someone you know N and the outpouring of support has to Jewish Education. Before need help, contact Yad Chessed at been so inspiring and moving to me.” dedicating her career to Jewish struggling to stay afloat, Kriegel shared that the agency is launching a [email protected] or (781) The agency is serving a critical role communal service, Kriegel was a 487-2693. For more information, practicing attorney. new initiative for those who may be during the Covid-19 crisis. in need of support for the first time. visit yadchessed.org. Please visit www.TheJewishAdvocate.com to subscribe. Reprint of The Jewish Advocate™ Published weekly on Friday by The Jewish Advocate Copyright © 2020 The Jewish Advocate, Jewish Advocate Pub. Corp. All Rights Reserved. To subscribe online go to www.TheJewishAdvocate.com or call 617-367-9100 x120. The Jewish Advocate® is protected by international copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction, or storage in a retrieval system, or in any other form is prohibited. 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