Learn about Tomchei Shabbos & Ezras Cholim!
Our mission is to help the Jewish needy, the elderly, and patients and their family members meet their basic needs. We provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. Tomchei Shabbos dispenses Kosher food, so impoverished Jews or elderly shut ins may celebrate Shabbos and Yomim Tovim with dignity. Ezras Cholim delivers Kosher food and provides support to sick Jews in hospitals or other facilities, so they may be able to focus their energy on receiving the best possible medical care without violating any religious restrictions.
No one should feel alone when they are sick in a hospital or rehab center! No one should feel compelled by lack of services or their economic situation to compromise their religious observances. Neither should their family or care givers.
Health and financial crises should be a time for prayer, faith and community coming together to strengthen each other.
Please donate or volunteer now!
Our History
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Ezras Cholim is here!
Ezras Cholim: How it Began
In 2002, our founders Yecheskel Friedman and Elchonon Gross met and became friends and Torah learning partners.
Yecheskel became seriously ill in 2008. Yecheskel felt like he was confined to his “4 walls,” as he called it, while he recovered through the next few years. It was during these dark times for him and those around him, that the idea of Ezras Cholim was born.
2015
Ezras Cholim Begins
No One Should Feel Alone
Ezras Cholim of Arizona was started in 2015 by a group of dedicated volunteers to serve the needs of people facing illness in the Greater Phoenix Jewish community.
2016
Our First Location
Beth Gavriel Community Center
Ezras Cholim began renting a space at a community synagogue building in Phoenix. This allowed us to expand our opportunities to help the community as we now had a location to organize our efforts.
2017
Tomchei Shabbos
Shabbat Necessities for the Poor
Ezras Cholim was asked to operate a Sabbath pantry aiding the sick and needy in their difficult times to enjoy the Sabbath and Jewish Holidays, Tomchei Shabbos of Arizona (“Support of the Sabbath”).
2018
Arizona Kosher Pantry
Expanding on Tomchei Shabbos
Ezras Cholim launched the Arizona Kosher Food Pantry, giving us the opportunity to aid the needy on a daily basis at our location. The Kosher Food Pantry is a part of a national food-pantry network called Feeding America.
2018
Jewish News Winner
Reader’s Choice
In 2018, Readers of the Jewish News voted Ezras Cholim and the Arizona Kosher Pantry as the Best Non-Profit Organization in the Valley
2019
Arizona Kosher Pantry
More Services Needed More Space
Ezras Cholim, Tomchei Shabbos and the Arizona Kosher Pantry moved to a new location.
We saw it as an opportunity to grow as the location has 2 buildings, effectively doubling the size from our old location.
2019
Arizona Kosher Pantry Day
Mayor Gallego Honors Founder
The Office of Mayor Kate Gallego surprised Yecheskel Friedman with a proclamation declaring his birthday, Dec. 17, 2019, “Arizona Kosher Pantry Day.” Read more