“You Restored My Faith in Judaism:” The Story of A Shabbat Hug
It began with a simple email, one that many Shluchim know all too well. A woman reached out to Devora Wilhelm, Shlucha in Portland, Oregon, to share that her brother was not doing well and that his wife was home alone, caring for him around the clock.
Wanting to offer support, Mrs. Wilhelm arranged for a small Shabbos package to be left at their door each Friday. It wasn’t elaborate, just a salad, a few dips, and a dessert, but it carried with it the reminder that someone was thinking of them. The deliveries continued week after week, even though the two women had never met.
When Mrs. Wilhelm later heard that the woman’s husband had passed away, she reached out. They finally met in person, and the woman shared how much those quiet Shabbos packages had meant to her. “You restored my faith in Judaism,” she told Mrs. Wilhelm. Moved by the experience, she offered a donation and encouraged Mrs. Wilhelm to create something lasting: care packages that could reach others in similar situations, consistently and with intention.
Chabad houses across the country have similar initiatives, delivering weekly care packages to community members in the hospital or nursing homes. One of those is Chani Goldberg, Director of Chabad on Call at Merkos 302. After delivering a Shabbos care package to a woman in the hospital, the woman said, “It feels like I’m getting a hug.” With that, the name was born. A Shabbat Hug is Chabad on Call’s newest initiative, created to bring the warmth and light of Shabbos to those who need it most.
“The Rebbe taught us to bring light into places that often feel forgotten and dark, especially hospitals and nursing homes. A Shabbat Hug gives Shluchim and communities a meaningful, beautiful way to do just that,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302.
This beautiful, newly designed bespoke care box features a sleek, elegant style with individual slots for each item, keeping everything neatly arranged and visually tasteful. Inside, you’ll find a Kiddush cup, challah cover, custom tzedakah box, electric tealights, and an easy-to-read Shabbos guide filled with songs and uplifting messages. Each kit also includes a customizable Canva card, allowing Shluchim to personalize candle lighting times and community contact information.
More than just a package, A Shabbat Hug is a community-powered mitzvah. Volunteers of all ages can help pack and deliver the kits, transforming small acts of kindness into a shared expression of connection and care. Some communities have even designated a “Shabbat for Everyone,” encouraging broader participation and awareness.
A Shabbat Hug is available at special introductory pricing. Kits are sold in sets of ten: $15 each for orders of 10 or more, $13.50 for 50 or more, and $12 each for 100 or more. For orders of 1,000 or more, please contact info@chabadoncall.com for custom pricing.
To learn more or place an order, visit chabadoncall.com/shabbathug
