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Communitywide Matanot L'evyonim Program
At the end of the Book of Esther (Megilat Esther) when the Jewish community
had successfully defended itself against its adversaries we read:
...observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, every year –
the same days on which the Jews enjoyed relief from their foes and the same
month which had been transformed for them from one of grief and mourning to
one of festive joy ... observe them as days of feasting and merry making,
and as an occasion for sending presents to the poor (Esther 9:20-23)
The Yad Chessed matanot l'evyonim ("gifts to the poor") program allows
individuals to fulfill
this ancient practice of giving gifts to the poor on Purim day itself.
Because many of us don't know any needy people, and even if we did, it would be
hard to reach them on Purim day, Yad Chessed has developed a unique communitywide
program in support of this custom.
In 2011, 50 Boston-area synagogues, minyanim, day schools,
and college Hillels contributed an amazing total of $78,947.
Because of discounts we receive, Yad Chessed was able to distribute $94,645
in food vouchers to more than 440 local families.
In keeping with Jewish law all funds collected for matanot l'evyonim
are distributed on Purim day.
How this works
- Funds are collected at Megillah-reading on Purim evening or Purim morning
at participating congregations and schools. Later that night or Purim morning,
the organizations tally their collection and call Yad Chessed with the total.
Individuals can also
donate online
as long as they complete their transaction by 11:00 a.m. Purim day.
(If you do so, be sure to enter your synagogue or school name in the designation field.)
- Yad Chessed gives out vouchers (with no dollar amount) to needy families
in advance of Purim. These vouchers can only be used starting at noon
on Purim day. Once Yad Chessed receives all of the calls on Purim morning and
determines the total amount collected, Yad Chessed calls the stores where the
vouchers can be used and tells them how much each voucher is worth.
Resources for participating congregations and schools
(Right click on a link to save a pdf document to your computer.)
Reporting Purim amount collected to Yad Chessed
The amount collected should be reported by 11 a.m. Purim morning,
Thursday, March 8, 2012.
You can email purim@yadchessed.org
or call 617-738-8449. If you cannot get through, then call 617-787-1133.
Please provide the following information in your email or voicemail:
- Your name and phone number
- Name of your congregation or school
- The town or city of your congregation or school
- The amount collected (if voicemail, please speak slowly and repeat the amount a second time)
If you call Erev Purim (Wednesday, March 7),
please call before 11 p.m.
Sending Purim funds to Yad Chessed
Please mail your checks after Purim to:
Yad Chessed
46 Columbia Street
Brookline MA 02446-2408
Please include your name and the name of your congregation or school. It would be helpful if you
could write a single check to Yad Chessed for any cash collected; please write "cash" on the memo line.
If you have questions or for more information,
please contact us at 617-787-1133 or
purim@yadchessed.org.
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