Hesed, commonly translated as “loving kindness,” is a lay committee of Or Haneshamah that aspires to facilitate OrH as a loving community whose members support each other in times of need. We are inspired by the Jewish values of G’milut Hassadim (acts of loving kindness); Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick in hospital and at home); Nihum Aveylim (bereavement support); Kibbud Av v’Aym (honouring your father and mother); and v’Ahavta Le’reaha Kamoha (loving your neighbour as yourself). We facilitate the provision of practical, short-term, non-pastoral, non-ritual support to our fellow members (full members, associate members and student members) and their immediate families; and Tishrey visitors on an as-available basis.
The Hesed Committee consists of 5 to 8 members, who co-ordinate the provision of support on a rotating basis. The role of the co-ordinator is to:
1) respond to requests for support which can come in through the hesed@orh email (found in every newsletter, and linked to the current co-ordinator’s email), through phone calls or by word of mouth; 2) determine if the requests are within the scope of services offered, and then 3) find other community members who can provide those services.
We offer to facilitate the provision of:Transportation
Respite support during illness or crisis
Social Support
Life cycle support
Needs not addressed by Hesed
Hesed does not facilitate the provision of professional support, financial assistance, or activities that could reasonably be anticipated to incur personal liability. Needs that are not supported include:
Members of the Hesed Committee rotate the coordinatorship every two months. Reach out and join by contacting hesed@orh.ca
