I am a resident of Lakewood, and over the past 20 years, I have personally benefited from the work of Bikur Cholim. Whether it was my spouse in the hospital, a child in need, or a family member facing a medical crisis, Bikur Cholim has been there in countless ways quietly, faithfully, and with unwavering care. It was the sandwich in a hospital hallway, a place to rest my head, a ride to an appointment, or a piece of much-needed advice at exactly the right moment. It is the late-night phone call answered without hesitation. It is guidance in life-threatening medical situations, access to the right doctor, a visit, a hug, reassurance when everything feels overwhelming.
I am writing this letter both as a thank you and as a call to action.
There are days on the calendar when we honor fathers, mothers, and great leaders. But I propose that there also be a day recognized as “Bikur Cholim Day.” Just as we set aside days to honor those we love and admire, let us dedicate a day to honor the organization that sustains countless families in their moments of greatest need quietly, faithfully, and without fanfare.
To truly understand Bikur Cholim, one must understand true chesed. This organization is not defined by dramatic moments or public displays of help. Its greatness lies in something far deeper: a quiet, unwavering commitment to those who are suffering. It is hundreds of acts of kindness each day often unseen, rarely acknowledged, but absolutely indispensable.
Bikur Cholim is essential to our lives; its survival is not their responsibility it is ours.
And yet, this organization is struggling. Decisions must be made daily about what to cut, and money must be borrowed just to function. The people running Bikur Cholim should be focused entirely on helping others not on keeping the lights on.
Here is where the challenge runs deeper. We instinctively know it is often easier to help outsiders, to give to causes far away, than it is to help our own family. That may be part of the problem. Lakewood raises millions for organizations across the globe, which is beautiful but we must also remember to care for those closest to us. Bikur Cholim is your brother.
If Bikur Cholim is essential to our lives in moments of crisis, then its stability is a communal responsibility in moments of calm. Paying the bills is not their job. It is ours.
Lakewood values chesed, achrayus, and care for one another, then ensuring the strength and continuity of Bikur Cholim is not optional it is an obligation.
On behalf of every family in Lakewood that is touched by their kindness, we say thank you, Bikur Cholim, for being there when we needed you most.
Now it is our turn to stand with them our brother, our organization, our heart.
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I second this.
It’s not possible to list the things they do, because they do what is needed as the needs arise. And like the letter states, there such tznius around it, that nobody hears too much of it.
I had a friend in a wheelchair who loved to shop, so a volunteer would take them in a handicap van to Costco. Now I’m sure there are people who would say, “Just order.” But this friend needed to get out, so wherever it was, they had a van almost dedicated to them.
I needed an appointment I couldn’t get, and BC helped me.
It doesn’t end…And yet they really do struggle to pay their bills.
This is the first achrayus a town has!
I third this!
Our family has been the recipient time and time again from their amazing chesed!
And again and again and more!
And I have personally seen them help emergency situations after hours too.
We need to give whatever amount we can (I always say even $5 donations if you can’t do more add up!)
Shout out to all the amazing volunteers that have helped us and everyone else over the years!
I gave birth in 2020 at the height of COVID, on Pesach. Baruch Hashem I had a healthy baby. But it was Yom Tov, I could not call anyone, and my husband was sent away. The staff barely entered the rooms due to fear of illness. I felt so alone. Suddenly, in middle of the night, someone stuck their hand in the door and placed a bag filled with kosher l’pesach Yom Tov food and matza into the room. The fact that the food tasted good was almost irrelevant. I was floored that despite the craziness going on all around, somehow LRBC knew that a frum mother had given birth, and found a way to make sure she felt cared-for. I will be forever grateful.
What’s the real story? Who’s struggling? Why did they change boards?
The
חפץ חיים זכר צדיק וקדוש
לברכה
He says very clearly and straight to the point, if a person says Lashon HaRah, even if he finished Shas a few times, when he comes upstairs , he may find that he will not get a reward for some of his learning.
Fourth
I think we should ask the Honorable Mayor Coles to also make a day dedicated to Bais Shprintzel Chaim Feigy Horowitz Cohen Hadad Talumd Torah U’Mesorah Temima u’Vakasha Tablecloths and Slightly Moldy Sheitel Stands dot com. There’s enough chesed to go around for everybody here!!! Also, consider a small recurring donation to Bikur Holim, seriously, they do some amazing work, and I am fairly but not 100% sure that Eliyahu Ha Navi was working with them when we had our triplets in Maimonides 35 years ago.
Bikur Cholim-such wonderful amazing volunteers. If I am Zoche to some money, I plan to give Bikur Cholim , Hatzala and Chaveirim a nice donation.
Bikur Cholim, Hatzala Chaveirim top notch organizations.
I am sure there are a lot of good organizations out there but I am familiar with these three .