Looking for volunteers

With more than 150 volunteers of all ages, Chabad Richmond has a committed core of helpers who contribute their time, loving care and expertise to provide a wide variety of services to the community.

On June 28, more than 60 of those volunteers attended an appreciation barbeque at Rabbi Yechiel and Chanie Baitelman’s home. 

“What an amazing event – very freilach, fun and informative. I met a bunch of new people and recruited several for the Israel Connect program. And the food was phenomenal!” said Shelley Civkin, Chabad volunteer.

“Volunteerism is fundamental to the infrastructure of Chabad,” said Rabbi Baitelman.

“Whether it’s weekly volunteering, once-in-a-while volunteering or special program volunteering, there are countless helpers who selflessly devote their time,” added Chanie Baitelman. “Chabad’s volunteers really do reflect our community’s compassion, selfless caring and love for one another.”

The new Chabad shluchim – Rabbi Menachem and Esther Wolf – who lead the Young Jewish Professionals group in Richmond, have encouraged volunteering among that age group as well.

Janna Mandelstam, a volunteer with Chabad Richmond for just over a year, helps with just about everything. When she’s not cooking and packing up weekly Light of Shabbat meals, she is helping organize Purim parties or delivering shmurah matzah for Passover. 

“Personally, it’s a very rewarding sensation to give back to my community and fulfil my tzedakah,” she said. “Chabad is my Jewish family, in which I found support, kindness, Jewish education and moral guidance. Chabad helps me to find my way to a higher purpose and self-development.”

Rob Eichorn, who has been volunteering with Chabad Richmond for about four years, helps deliver shmurah matzah to Jewish community members before Passover. When asked what volunteering means to him, he said, “Honestly, it’s the people. The gratitude shown by the folks I deliver to is genuinely moving, and I’ve had the chance to meet Jewish people in Richmond that I never would have crossed paths with otherwise. That connection means a lot to me.”

A core Chabad program is the Light of Shabbat, which has been running since 2011. Volunteers now cook, bake, package and deliver more than 100 free, kosher Shabbat meals to seniors, newcomers and others each week.

Yael Sachar, who has been a volunteer with Chabad Richmond since 2008, primarily puts her skills to work in the kitchen, cooking meals for the program.

“Volunteering is food for the neshamah,” she said. “I volunteer because I enjoy being able to contribute to my community and make a difference in the lives of others. Some of the most memorable and beautiful moments in my own life have been spent sharing a meal with the people I love and, if I can help create that same sense of connection and warmth for others at Chabad, that’s a wonderful thing.”

Iowna Wachtel is another helper who volunteers with the Light of Shabbat. She helps prepare and package the food. 

“After I retired in 2019, I wanted to get involved in an ongoing volunteer experience with an organization that helps those in need, both in our own community, as well as others,” she said. “Volunteering at Chabad allows me to meet new people, make new friends and develop new skills. I’m also learning more about Judaism and incorporating traditions and values for my own life and home.”

One of Chabad’s flagship programs is Israel Connect, run in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Education. It links local adult volunteer tutors/mentors with Israeli high school students via Zoom to help the students improve their English skills.

“Israel Connect is a perfect match for me. I love Israel, where I have volunteered with Sar-El these past two years, and I love witnessing my students blossom and gain confidence,” said Roma Kozlov, a retired teacher, who is one of the tutors. “This year, I started with a non-English-speaking student. At the same time, I began my own journey learning Hebrew. I had a lot of empathy for my student, who progressed in leaps and bounds. She also helped me with my Hebrew! We connected so well that we have continued to chat every week, even after the formal sessions ended.”

There are many other volunteer opportunities.

“We have seniors, teens and everyone in between volunteering and doing mitzvahs in our community,” said Rabbi Baitelman. “There is no prerequisite to be religiously observant – everyone is welcome here. Often our volunteers benefit from the volunteer experience as much, if not more, than the recipients…. There’s nothing like helping another Jew to bring you closer to your purpose in this world.”

To find out how you can volunteer with Chabad Richmond, contact Michelle at 604-277-6427. 

– Courtesy Chabad Richmond