Tomchei Shabbos Of Queens Holds Appreciation Dinner For Its Volunteers

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens held its annual appreciation dinner for volunteers on Wednesday evening, August 15, at the Tomchei Shabbos of Queens headquarters in Kew Gardens. The event was graced with the presence of Congresswoman Grace Meng, Borough President Melinda Katz, and Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal. Some 120 volunteers attended the dinner. Seasons provided delicious food for the dinner and there was a hypnotist for entertainment.

First, the Borough President thanked the volunteers for all they do on behalf of the people of Queens. Two volunteers were honored at the dinner: Mr. Gideon Karmely, who is there every Wednesday organizing routes and helping to direct volunteers, and Professor Chayim Zuckerberg, who has been a volunteer driver for the past 25 years. They both received certificates of appreciation and silver tz’dakah boxes symbolic of the tz’dakah they perform.

Mr. Karmely noted, “It’s a lot of hard work and good will. You don’t expect any thank you’s. You don’t need thank you. You need patience and to give and give and give.” He eloquently shared, “You see the people you are helping are calm and satisfied, and this is the best thank you!”

Mr. Shimmy Pelman, President of Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, thanked all the volunteers for all they do on behalf of the 400 families who receive Tomchei Shabbos on a weekly basis. He noted that “without their constant efforts, we couldn’t deliver the food to the people who need it.”

Professor Zuckerberg noted, “Every time I delivered for Tomchei Shabbos, I came home feeling wonderful.” He shared that he never finished in less than two hours and that he met many very grateful recipients over the years. He recalled one recipient who couldn’t stop blessing the organization. Professor Zuckerberg said, “I was always happy to see all the volunteers.” He teaches at Queens College, and sometimes, especially during the Pesach rush when there was so much to pack and deliver for Tomchei Shabbos, he would bring his students along to help. What a beautiful lesson for his students to see this organization in action!

This writer experienced driving for Tomchei Shabbos at one time, and it was rewarding knowing you were helping people to have a beautiful delicious Shabbos, freeing them from the worry of not having what they needed for Shabbos.

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens delivers to people in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, Kew Gardens, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Bayside, Jamaica, Sunnyside, Hillcrest, and Rego Park. Mr. Pelman noted, “They deliver wherever Jews need help.” It is an all-volunteer organization with a focus to help people who need kosher food.”

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens was started in the 1970s by a rabbi in Forest Hills. There were four volunteers who began it: Rabbi Yitzchok Katz, Mr. Jacob Schmidt, Mr. Itzy Lamm, and Mr. Tzvi Weiss. Each family took responsibility. The numbers of those in need increased, so they moved to a central location. Mr. Shimmy Pelman started driving in 1979. At that time, there were 40 families receiving Tomchei Shabbos of Queens. As more families asked for help, they needed more drivers. In 1984, Mr. Pelman was elected President of Tomchei Shabbos. Tomchei Shabbos of Queens moved from people’s garages to a real warehouse in Kew Gardens ten years ago, and this gave the organization the ability to take care of 400 families. There are currently around 300-400 volunteers who pack, order, and deliver the food. The work begins Tuesday night, getting packages ready for families in need. It’s really an amazing place, with stacks of food and boxes and so many busy, happy volunteers.

To volunteer or get involved, email Tomchei Shabbos at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To make your simchah more meaningful with Tomchei, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

You can call the warehouse anytime besides Wednesday evenings at 718-850-8070.

 By Susie Garber