Hesed @ TBZ

This rabbinic saying, that each Jew is responsible for every other, is one of the fundamental ideals of Jewish life. Every Jewish community from ancient times until today has made issues of compassion (in Hebrew, hesed), understood as caring for its needy, central to its social policy.  Help may be in the form of charitable giving (tzedakah), concrete support (often as food from a communal kitchen called tamchui), or personal contact in times of need (such as visiting the sick, bikkur cholim).  The purest form of compassion (hesed shel emet) concerns issues of burying the dead and supporting the bereaved.

All these Hesed activities together are known in the Jewish tradition as gemilut chasadim, which means literally, reciprocal compassion.  This teaches us that since helping those in need brings important spiritual benefits to the giver, there is no shame in accepting help.  In fact, doing that is itself a way of helping the giver!

Hesed is at the very heart of our communal lives.  At TBZ all our members are a part of the Hesed Community.  Whether you need help or are a volunteer, as a TBZ member, you are an essential part of our reciprocal compassion in action. This practice of Hesed enriches us all!

For more details related to Hesed activities click on the links in the menu.

If you would like to get more involved in Hesed @ TBZ, need help, or have any questions please reach out to hesed@TBZBrookline.org.