Who Eats in Colel Chabad's Jerusalem Soup Kitchens?

In the heart of Jerusalem, volunteers and staff with Kal Kabad deliver not just food, but comfort, dignity, and connection to Israel's elderly population. >> Kad is the oldest continuously operating charity in Israel, 238 years old. Today, we focus primarily on different ways that we help elderly people with food. Food is most basic of human needs. Each day, hot meals are delivered to thousands across the country. Here in Jerusalem, Kohl Kabad works to bring them directly to people's homes and apartments with special touches as they ensure quality cultural sensitive meals. The food that is served here partially is catered by us that we prepare it here locally or part of it comes from that we do in partnership with leet that the food that comes from hotels, restaurants, caterers around your lime around Israel. If you see it's beautiful brisket, beautiful chicken, beautiful pasta. Our objective is to help every single person the way they need help. >> For some, a warm meal is also a lifeline to companionship. Like Ysef, who just turned 90 years old, originally from Muldova, he now lives in Jerusalem and eagerly welcomes the visits. >> Zalan and Ysef share more than a meal. From dancing to singing, Ysef even opened up his past with photographs and old memories of his time in Muldova. Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! >> For Ysef, the visits also bring meaning and tradition. The 90-year-old is reminded of his Jewish values and traditions as staff helps him wrap to fill in while getting his meal served. >> Moments like these show that Kal Kabad's mission goes beyond meals. It's about preserving dignity, Jewish identity, and human connection. For volunteers like Anat Friedman, the work is deeply personal. My um grandmother's and grandfather were Holocaust survivors and I'm close to this population of uh elderly people. I know how much they need uh the smile, the you know, the attitude. For some people, it's the only time the day that they open the door. >> Kal Kabad doesn't just fill stomachs. It builds community at their soup kitchen at their main facility. Elderly people and anyone that needs a meal will gather, share stories, and find friendship. Zoman joins a group of new and old immigrants from the United States to chat over a tasty lunch meal. >> The soup kitchens provide another very important aspect and that is the social aspect where people get together, they meet identical people, they talk together, they have a friendship. For many, this community is a lifeline. Anat says even small gestures can make a difference. >> When you see a lot of elder people like this every day, it makes you think of life. Think of your family and how uh important are the connections and it's so important. If somebody has a grandfather, a grandmother, an old aunt, just call them, call them, talk to them, see if they need a visit. Kle Kabad's mission, founded in 1788, remains the same. Help anyone in need, regardless of background, with dignity, and with respect. >> The most basic of human need is food. More than just bread, but they have meat, they have chicken, they have a nice meal. It is our honor to serve them. It's our honor to serve them with dignity. And that is the most important thing for us. For Ysef Anat and countless others, that care comes wrapped in meals, conversation, tradition, and community.