Yad Chessed— hand of loving kindness.

Founded with the values of chessed (kindness) and tzedakah (charity), Yad Chessed has been a pillar of support in the Jewish community for over 30 years. We understand that life’s hurdles can affect anyone, and we are here to extend a helping hand to those experiencing financial hardship. Our small, yet impactful team works to ensure that Jews throughout New England who are struggling have somewhere to turn for emergency financial assistance, food support, and compassionate guidance.

Meet some of the Yad Chessed team

Executive Director

Nancy J. Kriegel

Nancy began as Executive Director in December of 2019. Previously, Nancy worked at Combined Jewish Philanthropies overseeing efforts to strengthen area Jewish Day Schools. Nancy was also one of the founders and co-president of Gateways: Access to Jewish Education. Before dedicating her career to Jewish communal service, Nancy was a practicing attorney with degrees from Boston College Law School and the University of Pennsylvania.

Associate Executive Director, Social Worker

Deborah Freed

Deborah joined Yad Chessed as a case manager in 2009 as Yad Chessed’s first professional staff member. Deborah has worked as a hospice social worker, sexual assault crisis counselor, prison release counselor, and professional studio artist. She worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery and the Center for Cognitive Neurology. She received her BA at Wesleyan University and her MSW from Simmons School of Social Work.

Director of Operations

Annie Fortnow

Annie started as Director of Operations in August 2023 after receiving her MA in Jewish Professional Leadership and Social Impact MBA from Brandeis University as a Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar. Annie has worked at a variety of Jewish organizations, including UMass Hillel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and as a Board Fellow at Yad Chessed. She is passionate about supporting the Jewish community and helping to building a more equitable Jewish future.

Social Worker, Bilingual (Russian-English)

Katya Udin

Katya is one of the members of our Social work team and is our bilingual case manager. Prior to joining Yad Chessed in 2021, Katya worked at Jewish Family & Children Service (JFCS) for 14 years assisting clients with financial hardship such as housing, food, utilities, and providing resources needed. Katya came to USA from the former Soviet Union in 1989 and is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Founder

Robert Housman

In 1989, Robert established Yad Chessed so he could help his neighbors struggling in Boston’s Jewish community. In the early years, he ran it by himself, with help from his wife Sue, as he worked full-time as a computer programmer. Robert noted, “People in the Jewish community didn’t realize that there were Jews who didn’t have enough food, who had trouble paying their rent. There was a need that wasn’t being met, so I started Yad Chessed.”

President, Board of Directors

Lori Silver

Lori is the General Counsel of Partners In Health, a global health nonprofit that provides healthcare for the poor with operations in ten countries. She previously served as Director of the Anti-Poverty Initiative at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), as General Counsel of Decisions Resources Group, and as a lawyer for the Office of the General Counsel at Harvard University. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Stanford University.

Yad Chessed News

Support for Israelis in time of crisis

Yad Chessed social workers are available to address the unique needs of Israelis in financial distress who seek refuge in our Greater Boston Jewish community. Our team is here to swiftly provide emergency financial assistance and supermarket gift cards to Israeli families in need as well as help them connect to additional available resources. If you or someone you know needs help, email intake@yadchessed.com or call (781) 487-2693.

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Give Back at Purim With Yad Chessed

Yad Chessed has been featured on JewishBoston.com for the mitzvah of matanot la'evyonim (gifts to those in need). “In the weeks leading up to Purim, Yad Chessed reaches out to rabbis, community leaders, synagogues and schools to connect with people who are facing financial hardship. Any Jewish community member who is struggling can receive a Purim food voucher, as well as individuals and families who currently receive year-round support from Yad Chessed,” Kriegel explains.

Give Back at Purim With Yad Chessed

Annie Fortnow joins Yad Chessed as Director of Operations

We are thrilled Annie Fortnow has joined our team! Annie recently graduated from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University and served as Yad Chessed Board Fellow with The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis.

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class honors milestone with Tzedakah

“We chose Yad Chessed as we wanted to support a local Jewish organization and Yad Chessed's mission spoke to us,” said Temple Beth Elohim B’nai Mitzvah class participant Martha Fagan. “We were all impressed with the variety of help you offer and the wide reach of your services. Helping those in need with dignity and respect is Tikkun Olam in action.”

Our Financials

Form 990

Form 990 is an informational document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS every year. This form covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2023 (Sept 2022 – Aug 2023).

Independent Auditor's Report

Our independent Auditor's Report is issued by an external auditor and evaluates the quality and accuracy of our financial statements. This report covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2023 (Sept 2022 – Aug 2023).

Form 990

Form 990 is an informational document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS every year. This form covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2022 (Sept 2021 – Aug 2022).

Independent Auditor’s Report

Our independent Auditor's Report is issued by an external auditor and evaluates the quality and accuracy of our financial statements. This report covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2022 (Sept 2021 – Aug 2022).

Annual Report

Yad Chessed publishes an Annual Report that summarizes what we've accomplished each year with the support of our donors and partners.

Form 990

Form 990 is an informational document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS every year. This form covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2021 (Sept 2020 – Aug 2021).

Independent Auditor's Report

Our independent Auditor's Report is issued by an external auditor and evaluates the quality and accuracy of our financial statements. This report covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2021 (Sept 2020 – Aug 2021).

Annual Report

Yad Chessed publishes an Annual Report that summarizes what we've accomplished each year with the support of our donors and partners.

Form 990

Form 990 is an informational document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS every year. This form covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2020 (Sept 2019 – Aug 2020).

Independent Auditor's Report

Our independent Auditor's Report is issued by an external auditor and evaluates the quality and accuracy of our financial statements. This report covers Yad Chessed's fiscal year 2020 (Sept 2019 – Aug 2020).

Annual Report

Yad Chessed publishes an Annual Report that summarizes what we've accomplished each year with the support of our donors and partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

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