In response to urgent necessities of various Jewish communities due to the Pandemic, the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), and the European Jewish Association (EJA), established the ‘European Chesed Centre’s, expected to expand with dozens of branches by the end of the year.

 

One of the biggest challenges faced by many Jewish communities across Europe during COVID was the severe shortage of medical equipment for community members who were discharged from hospitalization and were recuperating at home due to pandemic restrictions.

 

The lending process of medical equipment in Israel does not exist in many European countries. Many community members could not afford equipment purchases. We constantly heard the needs from many conversations with community leaders whose members contracted the disease. After conducting thorough research across the continent, we compiled a varied list of equipment that will serve the members of the communities – free – from birth to the elderly.

 

Each Chesed center includes over 300 items, including oxygen generators, wheelchairs, bathing chairs, crutches, rollers, pumps, cots, TENS devices, blood pressure monitors, and dozens more. The Chesed centres will provide a maintenance service for the preservation, sterilization, and repair of non-perishable medical equipment and accessories. It will also manage a logistical system for the distribution and collection of the equipment and accessories to and in the homes of community members in need.