Gemilut Chasadim (Chesed)
Olam Chesed Yibaneh. Steadfast Love is the Foundation of the World. Psalm 89:3
The performance of acts of kindness is a broad-based Torah commandment involving the act of Chesed to ones fellow: rich or poor, alive or dead. In fulfillment of this Mitzvah we are to imitate God (Deut 13:5): as He dresses the naked (Gen 3:21) so should we; as God visits the sick (Gen 18:1) so should we; as God consoles mourners (Gen 25:11), so should we; as God buries the dead (Deut 34:6), so should we.
Chesed extends from the provision of meals to those in need, to simple daily acts of kindness fulfilled through uttering a compassionate word to the poor or those suffering emotional trauma. Our task is to help implement the Jewish values of Chesed, and thereby become a compassionate community of brothers and sisters, children of God; a community in which all can draw on the community’s strength and love, feel included and valued at all times, and cared for in time of need.
The Sages’ epithet for Jews was, Rachmanim benei Rachmanim (Compassionate (people) the children of Compassionate people). Our mission is to help the rabbi and our members turn the Shul into a compassionate caring community.
Congregation Tiferet Israel's Gemilut Chasidim program is multi-faceted:
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Hachnasat Orchim (Hospitality): We provide meals and lodging for Shabbat and holidays for members of the Congregation and to visitors to our community. If you are in need of Hospitality, please fill out our Hospitality Request Form and we will get back to you shortly.
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Bikkur Cholim (Visiting the Sick): Should, God forbid, a member of the community be sick or incapacitated, we will visit them and help relieve the caregivers. If you know of someone in our community who needs this type of assistance please email Chesed@TiferetAustin.org.
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Assistance for People in Need of General Help: If you know of someone in our community who is in need of general help of any kind, please email Chesed@TiferetAustin.org.
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In Need of Financial Assistance: We have limited funds to help those needy of financial assistance. Our Rabbi, Rabbi Dan, administers a fund for this purpose. If you are in need of financial assistance please contact Rabbi Dan at RabbiDan@TiferetAustin.org.
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Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society), Livayat Met (Funeral Arrangements), and Nichum Avelim (Consolation of Mourners): Congregation Tiferet Israel has a Chevra Kadisha, a group that tends to the dead and prepares the body for burial. We also help the bereaved with funeral arrangements and provide shomrim, people to watch over the dead person's body until the funeral. We also try to console the mourners in our Congregation by providing the first meal after the funeral and visiting them during shiva, the first week after the funeral. Please contact Rabbi Dan at RabbiDan@TiferetAustin.org or by phone at 512-410-0336, Ext. 101.
