03 Mar כל דכפין – ייתי וייכל: HELP US HELP! INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER OF THE MATZOH FUND, ALAN HIRSCH
FAST FACTS:
Name: Bnai Israel Matzoh Fund
Founder: Alan Hirsch
Year Established: 1998
Based Out of: (Originally) Brooklyn, New York
Number of Families the Matzoh Fund Provides for: 1,700
Areas the Matzoh Fund covers: Yehuda, Shomron, Hebron, Jerusalem
Yearly Budget: $250,000
Number of Families the Matzoh Fund provided for last year: 1,600
Number of Volunteers in America: 12
Number of Volunteers in Eretz Yisrael: Hundreds!
How difficult is it to fundraise during this Corona year?
Two factors make it harder. 1: I was unable to come in from Israel and as a result was not able to visit some very generous donors that I have not been able to reach this year. Purim is always a day when people are the most generous and there was no Purim this year. 2: Many donors have been affected. Many businesses have been suffering,especially in New York, such as real estate, nursing homes and restaurants, just to name a few. These factors make it harder to collect donations.
What & who does the Matzoh Fund provide for?
We provide for anyone and everyone that needs. Our motto is “Kol Dichfin yeti veyechol.” We provide for farmers, datiim, chareidim, and chilonim. Anyone that needs Pesach comes to us.
How many more families does the Matzoh Fund need to provide for this year because of people being out of work due to Corona?
It’s difficult to tell at this point, but it should be approximately another 100 families, bringing us to 1700 families total. Which areas does the Matzoh Fund cover? We provide for the most remote places in Israel where no-one else dares to go. We have Yishuvim near Hebron near Schechem. We have farms near Jordan and in the Jordan Valley, and we have families throughout the Gush Etzion area.
How does the Matzoh Fund manage to distribute to the difficult locations, especially during Corona?
We have four central distribution points. From there, each yishuv comes to pick up their supplies. Last year we had to get everything to the distribution points early and in a hurry as we knew a lockdown was impending. This year we are positive there will be no lockdown on distribution day, the day before election day, which ensures nothing will happen on that date.
How do you decide who is worthy to receive help from the Matzoh Fund?
We do not decide anything. We work with the Rav of each yishuv or the head of the Irgun HaChesed and get the names from them.
There must be a lot of expenses running an operation like this. What are your operating costs?
Zero. All office expenses are taken on by The Jewish Vues . Everything else is done through volunteers.
How far in advance does the Matzoh Fund need to place their orders to get what they need for Pesach?
We start ordering two months in advance. Usually it is hard to place our chicken order. No one wants to guarantee the price of chickens for the week before Pesach for the 7-8 tons that we order.
What does the typical family receive from the Matzoh Fund?
5-10 lbs. of matzoh 6 bottles of grape juice, 1 bottle of wine, I liter of olive oil, 2 lbs of matzoh meal, 3 chickens, (usually) 8 lbs. of meat, vegetables, and $100- $150 to spend in a grocery store.
How does someone donate to the Matzoh Fund?
You can mail in check to: Bnai Israel Matzoh Fund 3190 Bedford Ave Bklyn, N.Y. 11210 or go online to: matzohfund.com and follow the instructions You can also see a video of what we do on our website.
How does someone volunteer to help the Matzoh Fund distribute in Eretz Yisrael?
Just call 347-992-7411. We will be happy to set you up. If someone knows someone that needs assistance in Yehuda or Shomron, what should they do? Contact Alan Hirsch. In all probability they are already on our list, but if not we will be happy to provide for them.
Which Rabbonim endorse the Matzoh Fund?
In America, Rav Schechter endorses the fund and there are many other Rabbonim who donate every year. In Israel, Rav Charlop, Rav Lier, Rav Waldman, Rav Ben Scachar, Rav Daniel, Rav Uriel, Rav Dorani, Rav Danielle, Rabbi Chaim Klein and many other Rabbis in Yehuda and Shomron.
Is there something else that we did not discuss, that you would like to tell Jewish Vues readers?
I’d like to take this time to remember my good friend Jerry Pasternack who worked with me for many years raising money and helping on all fronts. His dedication helped get us off the ground. In tribute to that, his family comes together every year to raise money in his honor in their communities. I also want to thank Srully Hersh for all his help these past years and who is in America doing a lot of what I can’t do there this year. Finally, I want to thank my own family who always work extremely hard to keep the matzoh fund working. I couldn’t do what I do without their help and support. When I was younger, my Rav- Rabbi Berzon- used to say that when it comes to Maos Chitim, “Either you give or you get. There Is no in-between.” I hope all of you are not in the group of receivers and that you have the ability to give. If you are, please go to matzohfund.com and make your contribution. You will be happy that you did!!!