Florida Chesed Network
By: Cheri F. Rosen
As many 5TJT readers are undoubtedly aware, the state of Florida neither demands nor collects state income tax. Of course, those moving from New York or New Jersey, where the taxes are among the highest in the nation, recognize the huge benefits of this exclusion. Nevertheless, there are substantial disadvantages as well. Without tax money the state government is severely limited in the size and scope of programs and services it can provide to its citizens. Although, as would be expected, there are many gemachs and chesed organizations in the predominately Jewish areas of South Florida specifically in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade counties. The challenge in South Florida remains to locate an appropriate organization when services are needed. The Florida Chesed Network was founded in May of 2023 by Jerry and Barbara Weissman of Boynton Beach together with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton, specifically to bridge that gap as stated in their mission statement, and to connect the dots in order to connect the right people to the right services ensuring that every family regardless of their circumstances is seen, heard, and supported.
In just two and a half years since its creation the Florida Chesed Network (FCN) has grown exponentially in both its resources and services offered under the expert direction and guidance of Executive Director Yoshi Hagler. Mr. Hagler’s leadership has enabled FCN’s significant expansion in the Palm Beach Tomchei Shabbos program as they are presently delivering 80+ Shabbos boxes every week within the towns of Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach. In addition, they have established a kosher food pantry at Bethesda East Hospital with another soon to come at Bethesda West. Fifty Shabbos packages including challah, grape juice, and electric candles accompanied by get well wishes are personally delivered every Friday. As previously mentioned there have been numerous wonderful chesed organizations existing in South Florida for years. FCN is determined to connect the appropriate resources to those in need of services. The FCN volunteers provide much assistance on a daily, weekly, or occasional basis, delivering meals and driving people to medical appointments, hospital visitations, etc. It is evident that the volunteers and administrative staff of FCN supply myriad answers to a wide variety of needs, yet their crowning glory has been joining Shlomi Lugassy of Boca Raton Shuk Shlomi in 2023.
An incredible ba’al chesed, Shlomi Lugassy, recognized a need in Boca Raton even pre-Covid, before the substantial expansion of the Jewish community, for help with providing food for families for yom tov. Out of his driveway in his Boca Raton home Shlomi set food stands where people could come and take what they wanted, paying little or no money depending on their circumstances. As Covid hit the need grew tremendously, so Shlomi moved his operation to the BRS parking lot where he could service that many more people. Then in 2023 after the creation of the Florida Chesed Network a partnership was established which exponentially expanded the market shuk. Shlomi’s Shuk is currently in operation twice a year, once before Pesach and once again before Rosh Hashanah. This past year from starting as an amazing but somewhat limited enterprise in Shlomi’s driveway, the partnership with FCN has allowed the Shuk to occupy an enormous space of more than two acres in the Broken Sound commercial area. This season’s shuk was able to provide an incredible array of food items, produce, meat, chicken, eggs, beverages, grape juice, and anything else you can think of to over 1,200 families in the South Florida area. Shopping carts were constantly being refilled for more than 18 hours and brought to an optional checkout spot where one was encouraged to only pay what they felt they could comfortably afford.
This community of kindness at the heart of the Florida Chesed Network together with all of the South Florida incredible chesed organizations has managed to offer support, resources, and successful resolutions for a multitude of our chevra in South Florida.
Obviously, as with any chesed operation the Florida Chesed Network is grateful to all of its generous donors and volunteers.
If you would like to contact the Florida Chesed Network, whether to discuss particular needs or to donate time or resources to FCN, please utilize the QR code below or simply call the number 561-561-4FCN. All calls will be directed to Jennie Yudin, director of case management, who will receive and advance your request or offer of services as expeditiously as possible.
Cheri F. Rosen, of Lang Realty, has been a REALTOR® in South Florida since moving to Boca Raton over a decade ago. You can learn more about real estate in South Florida by calling Cheri at 561-221-2233 or visiting Cheri’s website: southfloridacondosandhouses.com or just Google the words Orthodox Boca. Cheri’s website is the top search result. Submit your personal questions and concerns to Cheri, and they will be answered personally, or anonymously in future columns.
