Chaverim

Chaverim was started in Monsey, New York by Rabbi Shaya Zev Erps in July 1999. The grassroots organization opened a hotline to assist stranded motorists and elderly and handicapped individuals. Since its founding, the Boro Park Chaverim has logged over 100,000 calls, with hundreds of calls received daily.{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=88609 |title=VIDEO: Even NYPD Call Chaveirim for a Boost |date=1 April 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=Yeshiva World News |archive-date=6 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406011819/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=88609 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/realestate/10living.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=Borough Park, Brooklyn |first=Gregory |last=Beyer |work=The New York Times |date=8 October 2010 |accessdate=23 December 2012 |archive-date=23 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123050153/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/realestate/10living.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |url-status=live }}

File:Kiryas joel chaveirim.png

Chaverim volunteers respond to calls at any hour and perform the following duties, including, but not limited to:

• Assist people locked out of their home or vehicle
• Repair flat tires{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/realestate/10living.html |title=Living in Borough Park, Brooklyn |last=Beyer |first=Gregory |date=8 October 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=11 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811120452/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/realestate/10living.html |url-status=live }} and pump low tires{{cite web |url=http://chaverimofbaltimore.org/information |title=Information |publisher=Chaverim of Baltimore |accessdate=10 August 2011 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725163629/http://chaverimofbaltimore.org/information |url-status=live }}
• Boost car batteries
• Assist cars stuck in snow, mud, etc.{{cite web |url=http://chaverim5t.org/pages/WhatChaverimOffers |title=What Chaverim Offers |publisher=Chaverim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway |accessdate=10 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014061608/http://chaverim5t.org/pages/WhatChaverimOffers |archivedate=14 October 2011}}{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9fvJoO2vyY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/P9fvJoO2vyY |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Chaveirim Members Pull Member Out of Mud (video) |work=The Lakewood Scoop |via=YouTube |date=13 December 2010 |accessdate=11 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2010/02/chaveirim-receives-over-650-calls-during-storm.html |title=Chaveirim Receives Over 650 Calls During Storm |date=14 February 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=The Lakewood Scoop |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322142206/http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2010/02/chaveirim-receives-over-650-calls-during-storm.html |url-status=live }}
• Give rides to motorists whose cars are disabled
• Transport families to weddings during snowstorms{{cite web |url=http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2010/12/chaveirim-swamped-with-calls-transport-residents-to-from-weddings.html |title=Chaveirim Swamped With Calls – Transport Residents To & From Weddings |date=26 December 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=The Lakewood Scoop |archive-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209141145/http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2010/12/chaveirim-swamped-with-calls-transport-residents-to-from-weddings.html |url-status=live }}
• Give directions for those in unfamiliar areas
• Obtain gas if someone's gas tank runs dry
• Assist with burst pipes
• Assist with loss of essential services such as gas, electric, water, or telephone
• Provide members for a shiva minyan

Chaverim of Boro Park provides free 10-minute safety inspections of vehicles prior to the August summer vacation period to draw drivers' attention to safety issues with their cars.{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=35642 |title=Chaveirim of Boro Park & Williamsburg Inspect Hundreds of Vehicles |accessdate=31 March 2010 |date=15 June 2009 |publisher=Yeshiva World News |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929134510/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=35642 |url-status=live }} Free inspections of tire pressure, blinkers, fluids, spare tire, and other car needs are also offered before the summer vacation by the Lakewood Chaverim.{{cite web |url=http://matzav.com/lakewood-chaveirim-third-annual-free-automobile-safety-inspections |title=Lakewood Chaveirim Third Annual Free Automobile Safety Inspections |date=11 July 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |publisher=matzav.com |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401072557/http://matzav.com/lakewood-chaveirim-third-annual-free-automobile-safety-inspections |url-status=live }}

In 2010 Chaverim of Queens initiated a "Don't Drink and Drive" campaign on Purim which provided drivers to take home inebriated residents.{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/Human+Interest/86965/Chaverim+Of+Queens+Gears+Up+For+This+Years+Purim+'Don't+Drink+&+Drive+Campaign'.html |title=Chaverim of Queens Gears Up For This Years Purim 'Don't Drink & Drive Campaign' |date=14 March 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=Yeshiva World News |archive-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822123227/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/Human+Interest/86965/Chaverim+Of+Queens+Gears+Up+For+This+Years+Purim+%27Don%27t+Drink+%26+Drive+Campaign%27.html |url-status=live }}

In July 2008 the Lakewood Chaveirim were the recipients of a state resolution presented by New Jersey Senator Robert Singer.{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=20915 |title=VIDEO & PHOTOS: YWN Video Prompts Award to Lakewood Chaverim |date=11 July 2008 |accessdate=11 August 2011 |work=Yeshiva World News |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923152205/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=20915 |url-status=live }} In July 2011 the same group was given a special award for community service by the Lakewood Police Department. Police Chief Rob Lawson cited the group's help during a blackout when members volunteered to direct traffic at intersections, as well as their assistance to people locked out of their cars or homes.{{cite web |url=http://matzav.com/video-photos-lakewood-chaverim-recognized-at-police-awards-ceremony |title=Video, Photos: Lakewood Chaverim Recognized at Police Awards Ceremony |date=29 July 2011 |accessdate=11 August 2011 |publisher=matzav.com |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401072619/http://matzav.com/video-photos-lakewood-chaverim-recognized-at-police-awards-ceremony |url-status=live }}

Chaverim volunteers often work together with those of the Shomrim, Shmira and Hatzalah organizations to assist residents during crippling weather events,{{cite web |url=http://www.vosizneias.com/72096/2010/12/28/new-york-community-alert-suv-hotline-set-up-by-chaveirimhatzalah/ |title=New York – Community Alert: SUV Hotline Set Up By Chaveirim/Hatzalah/Shomrim |date=28 November 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=Vosizneias |archive-date=3 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103053816/http://www.vosizneias.com/72096/2010/12/28/new-york-community-alert-suv-hotline-set-up-by-chaveirimhatzalah |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=47977 |title=PHOTOS: Baltimore Hatzalah, Shomrim & Chaverim Work Through Blizzard |date=10 February 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |publisher=Yeshiva World News |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923152135/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=47977 |url-status=live }} and missing persons searches.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/49093 |title=Leiby Kletzky (2002–2011) |last=Tannenbaum |first=Rabbi Gershon |work=The Jewish Press |date=20 July 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812062551/https://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/49093 |archivedate=12 August 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://matzav.com/large-search-for-missing-boy-in-lakewood |title=Large Search for Missing Boy in Lakewood |date=17 November 2010 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |publisher=matzav.com |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401072607/http://matzav.com/large-search-for-missing-boy-in-lakewood |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Brooklyn City Councilman David Greenfield announced a partnership with Boro Park Chaverim to identify potholes in Flatbush and Midwood after severe winter weather in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.vosizneias.com/80756/2011/04/12/brooklyn-ny-greenfield-teams-with-chaveirim-to-battle-potholes%E2%80%8F/ |title=Brooklyn, NY - Greenfield Teams With Chaveirim Too Park Chaverim to identify potholes in Flatbush and Midwood after severe winter Battle Potholes |date=12 April 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=Vosizneias |archive-date=28 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828080211/http://www.vosizneias.com/80756/2011/04/12/brooklyn-ny-greenfield-teams-with-chaveirim-to-battle-potholes%E2%80%8F |url-status=live }}

Many Chaverim volunteers are professional tradesmen who donate their professional skills to provide emergency assistance.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}}

Chaverim organizations are located in:

• Brooklyn (including Borough Park, Sea Gate, Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Flatbush)
• Manhattan (including Washington Heights)Meyer, Mendy [https://twitter.com/ChaverimWH/status/932348366872371200/photo/1 "Chaverim Needed!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215048/https://twitter.com/ChaverimWH/status/932348366872371200 |date=21 December 2021 }}, KAJ Newsletter Vol. 48, No. 2, Pg. 9
• The Catskills{{cite web |url=http://chaveirim.org |title=Chaveirim of Boro Park, Williamsburg, Flatbush & Catskills |accessdate=15 August 2010 |publisher=chaveirim.org |archive-date=26 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626174243/http://www.chaveirim.org/ |url-status=live }}
• Staten Island
• Five Towns
• Queens{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/38063/ |title=Chaverim of Queens Celebrates First Anniversary |work=The Jewish Press |date=4 February 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310124517/http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/38063 |archivedate=10 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.queensrealtorteam.com/queens-gemach-netwk.asp |title=Queens Gemach Network |publisher=Queens Realtor Team |accessdate=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201213923/http://www.queensrealtorteam.com/queens-gemach-netwk.asp |archive-date=1 February 2011 |url-status=dead }} (including Far Rockaway, which is separate{{cite web |url=http://chaverim5t.org/ |title=Chaverim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway |publisher=Chaverim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway |accessdate=10 August 2011 |archive-date=26 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626174243/http://www.chaverim5t.org/ |url-status=live }})
• Rockland County{{cite web |url=http://yiddishnayes.com/index.php?event=detail&blog_id=5245 |title={PHOTOS, VIDEO}Monsey-NY, Residents on the Edge As More Storms Forecasted For Today |date=24 June 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |work=Yiddish Nayes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142512/http://yiddishnayes.com/index.php?event=detail&blog_id=5245 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}
• Kiryas Joel
• Tannersville
• Fleischmanns

• Jersey Shore{{cite web |url=http://www.thechaverim.com |title=The Jersey Shore Chaverim Volunteer Emergency Assistance |publisher=Jersey Shore Chaverim |accessdate=10 August 2010 |archive-date=2 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202115133/http://thechaverim.com/ |url-status=live }}
• Lakewood{{cite web |url=http://matzav.com/important-message-from-lakewood-chaveirim-regarding-gsp-exit-closure-tomorrow |title=Important Message from Lakewood Chaveirim Regarding GSP Exit Closure Tomorrow |last=Amdurski |first=Noam |date=5 November 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2011 |publisher=matzav.com |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401072615/http://matzav.com/important-message-from-lakewood-chaveirim-regarding-gsp-exit-closure-tomorrow |url-status=live }}
• Passaic{{cite web|url=http://www.passaicchaverim.org/|title=Passaic Chaverim|accessdate=10 August 2011|publisher=Passaic Chaverim|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727164034/http://www.passaicchaverim.org/|url-status=live}}
• Bergen County{{cite web |title=Photos – New Chaverim of Teaneck NJ Being Trained By Chaverim in Monsey |url=http://yiddishnayes.com/index.php?event=gallerydesc&galid=115&eventname=New%20Chaverim%20Of%20Teaneck%20NJ%20Being%20Trained%20By%20Chaverim%20In%20Monsey |accessdate=10 August 2011 |publisher=Yiddish Nayes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025938/http://yiddishnayes.com/index.php?event=gallerydesc&galid=115&eventname=New%20Chaverim%20Of%20Teaneck%20NJ%20Being%20Trained%20By%20Chaverim%20In%20Monsey |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}
• Toms River{{cite web |title=Chaveirim of Toms River |url=https://www.facebook.com/ChaveirimofTR/?ref=py_c |website=Facebook |accessdate=1 May 2019 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215113/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FChaveirimofTR%2F%3Fref%3Dpy_c |url-status=live }}
• Cherry Hill
• Union County
• Middlesex county

• [https://chaverimofnepa.com North East Pennsylvania] (NEPA)
• Boston
• Baltimore{{cite web |url=http://chaverimofbaltimore.org |title=Chaverim of Baltimore |year=2010 |accessdate=15 August 2010 |publisher=chaverimofbaltimore.org |archive-date=26 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626174254/http://chaverimofbaltimore.org/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://baltimorejewishlife.com/pdfs/ONE_WWW_ad.pdf |title=One Number to Reach Our Local Organizations: Hatzalah, Shomrim, Chaverim and many more |publisher=Baltimore Jewish Life |accessdate=10 August 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055139/http://baltimorejewishlife.com/pdfs/ONE_WWW_ad.pdf |url-status=live }}
• Chicago
• Houston
• Waterbury
• West Hartford
• Cleveland{{cite web |url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local/article_10906334-4dc9-11e1-a943-0019bb2963f4.html |title=Chaverim gears up for free road service |first=Arlene |last=Fine |date=2 February 2012 |accessdate=12 June 2012 |work=Cleveland Jewish News |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215050/https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local/article_10906334-4dc9-11e1-a943-0019bb2963f4.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://chaverimofcleveland.org/ |title=Chaverim of Cleveland |year=2012 |accessdate=12 June 2012 |publisher=Chaverim of Cleveland |archive-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406230447/http://chaverimofcleveland.org/ |url-status=live }}
• Detroit{{cite web |url=http://detroitchaverim.org/ |title=Detroit Chaverim |publisher=detroitchaverim.org |accessdate=20 October 2015 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081306/http://www.detroitchaverim.org/ |url-status=live }}
• Iowa{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/search?output=search&q=Chaverim+Iowa+Division&ludocid=18318596418831495911&ibp=gwp;0,7 |title=Chaverim Iowa Division |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215108/https://www.google.com/search?output=search&q=Chaverim+Iowa+Division&ludocid=18318596418831495911 |url-status=live }} (primarily in Postville, Iowa)
• Los Angeles{{cite web |url=http://www.chaverimla.org |title=Chaverim of Los Angeles |publisher=Chaverimla.org |accessdate=21 December 2011 |archive-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207050722/http://chaverimla.org/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=102130 |title=Chaverim of Los Angeles Goes Live |date=2 September 2011 |publisher=theyeshivaworld.com |accessdate=21 December 2011 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215053/https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/102130/chaverim-of-los-angeles-goes-live.html |url-status=live }}
• Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona
• Philadelphia{{cite web |url=https://go.thechesedfund.com/AZ7ERl/keep-us-from-going-flat |title=Chaveirim of Philadelphia |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215051/https://go.thechesedfund.com/AZ7ERl/keep-us-from-going-flat |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/phillychaveirim/|title=Chaveirim of Philadelphia|website=Facebook|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215051/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphillychaveirim%2F|url-status=live}}
• South Florida{{cite web |url= https://chaverimsf.org/ |title=Chaverim of South Florida|accessdate=7 July 2022}}
• Greater Washington, DC{{cite web |url=http://frankallanstorch.blogspot.com/2013/02/chesed-task-force-of-greater-washington.html |title=Chesed Task Force of Greater Washington |first=Frank |last=Storch |date=25 February 2013 |accessdate=1 March 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202718/http://frankallanstorch.blogspot.com/2013/02/chesed-task-force-of-greater-washington.html |url-status=live }} (primarily in Silver Spring){{Cite web |url=https://chaverimgw.org/ |title=Chaverim of Greater Washington |website=chaverimgw.org |access-date=12 June 2022}}

• Melbourne{{cite web|url=http://chaverim.org.au/|title=Chaverim Melbourne|publisher=chaverim.org.au|accessdate=22 November 2019|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221215104/https://chaverim.org.au/|url-status=live}}

• Antwerp[https://m.facebook.com/chaverim.antwerpen Chaverim Antwerpen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115154029/https://m.facebook.com/chaverim.antwerpen |date=15 January 2020 }}, Facebook. Retrieved 15 January 2020.

• Montreal{{cite web|url=http://chaverim.ca/|title=Chaverim of Montreal–Tosh–Laurentians|publisher=chaverim.ca|accessdate=10 August 2011|archive-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601225403/http://chaverim.ca/|url-status=live}}
• Toronto{{cite web |url=https://chaverimto.ca/ |title=Chaverim of Toronto |publisher=Chaverim Toronot |website=chaverimto.ca/ |accessdate=10 August 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811205102/https://chaverimto.ca/ |url-status=live }}

• London (Stamford Hill, NW London)
• Manchester{{Cite web |url=http://kosherpages.com/site/emergencyinformation |title=Emergency Information |website=kosherpages.com |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003213/http://kosherpages.com/site/emergencyinformation |url-status=live }}

• Buenos Aires{{Cite web |title=Javerim Argentina |url=https://www.donacion.ar/r/javerim |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=www.donacion.ar |language=es-es}}

Yedidim, an independent offshoot of New York's Chaverim, operates in Israel since 2006 with 65,000 volunteers. This volunteer group responds to calls to jumpstart cars, change flat tires, fix home plumbing and electrical problems, and any other non-medical request. The founder of the organization is Meir Wiener. The organization is headed by Israel Almasi and Lazzy Stern."Volunteers to the Rescue", Binah Bunch, 1 June 2009, p. 6.{{Cite video | people = Yedidim | script-title=he:ערוץ - חדשות ידידים | medium = TV news | publisher = Channel 2 (Israel) | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDEbi7gOASM | accessdate = 10 August 2011|language=he}}

• Motor club

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BImKi8bAjyY Chaveirim Demonstration Removing and Plugging Tire (video)]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIH717O4wd8 Lakewood Police Department Awards Ceremony and Promotions Chaveirim Award (video)]
• [http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2010/12/lakewood-gym-sponsors-evening-of-relaxation-for-chaveirim-members.html "Lakewood Gym Sponsors Evening Of Relaxation For Chaveirim Members"]
• [http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/chaverim-stories Chaverim Stories]

{{Organized Jewish Life in the United States}}

Category:1999 establishments in New York (state)

Category:Organizations established in 1999

Category:Volunteer organizations in the United States

Category:Jewish community organizations

Category:Orthodox Jews and Judaism in New York City

Category:Jews and Judaism in Brooklyn

Category:Jews and Judaism in Baltimore

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States