Tomchei Shabbos

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Tomchei Shabbos is the name for several Jewish charities in different communities, which are not all affiliated with one another. The Hebrew name means "supporters of the Sabbath." Thus, the charity's mission is to provide food and other supplies so that poor Jews can celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays.

1 Tomchei Shabbos of Los Angeles
2 Tomchei Shabbos of Bergen County
3 Tomchei Shabbos of Queens
4 External links

[edit] Tomchei Shabbos of Los Angeles

Tomchei Shabbos of Los Angeles was founded by three Orthodox rabbis in 1977. A 2003 article in the Los Angeles Jewish Journal stated that over 200 Jewish families rely on the volunteer organization for weekly donations.

[edit] Tomchei Shabbos of Bergen County

Three women - Chani Schmutter, Lori Frank, and Claire Strauss - founded Tomchei Shabbos in Bergen County, New Jersey (Teaneck, Bergenfield, and Fair Lawn) in 1990. As of 2006, Tomchei Shabbos supported 130 Jewish families in the area. 1

The agency does not have its own website, but it accepts donations through Congregation Bnei Yeshurun and other area synagogues. It posted on synagogue announcements the following item:

"Tomchei Shabbos provides Shabbat meals, as well as food and supplies for Jewish holidays, to any needy Jewish family in Northern New Jersey. The recipients of Tomchei Shabbos include single mothers, Russian immigrants, the elderly, the unemployed, the sick, and the disabled. All Tomchei Shabbos drivers and packers are volunteers, so almost the entire budget is allocated directly toward the purchase of food."

[edit] Tomchei Shabbos of Queens

Founded in 1979 by Simon Pelman in Forest Hills, and has since moved to Kew Gardens. It operates every Wednesday night, beginning with juniors and Seniors from Shevach High School arranging the packages, which are then delivered to the clients by many local volunteers. It is currently responsible for the delivery of approximately 350 packages weekly. With its low overhead and no salaries, most of the money goes directly into providing food for community members.