Crown Heights Now Has a Director of Visitations

By COLlive reporter

The Ahavas Chesed organization in Crown Heights has welcomed to its staff Rabbi Yoel Chazan of Crown Heights to head up its visitation division.

Rabbi Chazan, a Manchester, England, native who lives in Crown Heights with his family, will provide visitation services as part of the organization which assists Crown Heights residents with medical and illness related emergencies, a soup kitchen, and elderly assistance services, among others.

Rabbi Chazan, who is also an 8th-grade teacher at Darchai Menachem School in Crown Heights, has devoted his life to acts of chesed and helping others, Rabbi Avrohom Lieder, Director of Ahavas Chesed, told COLlive.

In his new role, Rabbi Chazan spends his afternoons visiting sick patients in the hospital, and people in rehab centers and senior centers in the New York area, such as Kings County Hospital, Boro Park Rehab Center, and others.

He also visits local homebound individuals, members of Anash who may need a helping hand, or just some company and a warm smile.

“Many people who live out of town and have an elderly or sick relative in Crown Heights, will now have someone to call to ask for help,” Rabbi Chazan says. “The important thing is, nobody should ever feel alone,” he said.

“While there are many organizations who deal with hospital visitation, we realized that it is time for Crown Heights to have our own organization dedicated to this,” Rabbi Chazan told COLlive.

Rabbi Chazan is hoping to expand the visitation division of Ahavas Chesed, and ultimately head up a group of volunteers who will visit many people each day.

“What always uplifts me after leaving a patient’s room, is the feeling you get that you really made someone’s day – and there’s not much that can compare to that,” Rabbi Chazan says.

If you require a hospital visit, or you know of any homebound individuals who could benefit please call Ahavas Chesed at 718 221-2424 or email ahavaschesed1@gmail.com. All requests are kept confidential.

To donate to the efforts of Ahavas Chesed, click here.