Mental Health Resource Guide

Chesed: Caring for our Community

Chesed is the Hebrew word for kindness and is commonly translated as lovingkindness. Community, or Chavurah, is an HBT core value, and it means being there for each other in times of need—organizing and providing meals, transportation, calls, and visits. It also means sharing times of joy—the birth of a grandchild, a wedding, a special anniversary, or a big birthday.  Acts of Chesed forge connections in our congregation and beyond.

The goal of the Temple HBT Chesed Committee is to extend life cycle support in times of need and celebration to members of our community. Whether a congregant is recovering from an illness or juggling the demands of a new baby, our community wants to help when needed. At times, Chesed takes a large, coordinated effort, at others just a few minutes of time. We encourage families and friends to notify the synagogue office or call a member of the Chesed Committee when you hear of a congregant who might need support.

New volunteers are always welcome. We have Food volunteers, Ride volunteers, and Visit/Call volunteers. Your offering might be dropping off a home-cooked meal, giving someone a ride, or just making a friendly phone call.

Performing these mitzvot (commandments or good deeds) benefits not only others but also yourself, for, in the words of Hillel, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?”

We would like all our members to become comfortable both asking for help and being willing to be called on to help others. As community members each of us can help uplift spirits as we reach out and build connections among HBT members and families.

Family Table

HBT collects food year-round for Family Table. Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Family Table is the largest kosher food pantry in New England. Please help us keep the collection bin in the lobby filled with boxes of raisins and crackers (Kosher certification preferred but not required).

MAZON Partner Synagogue

We support Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger in many ways and encourage members to contribute as a way of sharing our joy and bounty with others.  As part of the bar or bat mitzvah celebration, we ask for a family contribution to MAZON. The customary donation is 3% of the cost of food at the celebration.

Donate

Temple HBT in conjunction with Big Brother Big Sister Foundation is collecting clothing, shoes, household textiles and accessories.

Please place your items in our bin to help thousands of children throughout Massachusetts.

  • All types, sizes, and styles of clothing (women, men and children)

  • Household textiles (blankets, towels, curtains)

  • Shoes and sneakers

  • Accessories (purses, backpacks, belts, jewelry, hats, gloves, socks and more)