Colel Chabad Pantry Packers: Turning Kindness Into Food for Israel’s Most Vulnerable

By Rabbi Efraim Duchman, Director of Development, Colel Chabad

Founded in 1788 by the Alter Rebbe, Colel Chabad is Israel's oldest continuously operating charity. For more than two centuries, it has quietly and consistently served vulnerable families, Holocaust survivors, the elderly, widows, and orphans — providing food, dignity, and essential support to those who need it.

One of Colel Chabad’s most meaningful hands-on programs is Pantry Packers.

Pantry Packers gives volunteers the opportunity to become part of the food distribution process in a personal, tangible way. Volunteers pack basic food staples that are later delivered to families and seniors throughout Israel. The work is simple, but its impact is profound.

A bag of groceries may look ordinary on a packing table. But for the person who receives it, it can mean dinner on the table and the comfort of knowing that someone cares. As one recipient shared, “We’re living hand to mouth… we’re very grateful for this free service.”

Colel Chabad’s mission has become even more urgent during the war in Israel. As families have been displaced, elderly residents have been forced into shelters, and communities have faced fear and uncertainty, Colel Chabad has expanded its emergency response to meet the growing need.

The Mayberg Foundation has been a meaningful partner in this emergency work, reflecting a shared responsibility to stand with Israel’s most vulnerable. Longtime supporter and volunteer John A.I. Grossman, MD—father of Aggie Grossman, MyZuzah's associate director of engagement and the Mayberg Foundation's grants manager—originally introduced the Foundation to their vital work.

Reflecting on Colel Chabad's enduring legacy, Dr. Grossman shares:

"Colel Chabad is unique because of its continuous, uninterrupted mission since 1788 to alleviate hunger and suffering among the Jewish people. Now more than ever, this work is of the utmost importance, and it stands as a true testament to the organization and its leadership."

We look forward to packing food together with your team, where you can experience firsthand the impact this work has on families and seniors across Israel.

One package at a time, Pantry Packers turns kindness into action.

"Na’aseh V’Nishma": Launching Our Israel Grantmaking Strategy Through Action and Learning

By Zohar Hahn-Brafman and Hanan Rubin

Following the holiday of Shavuot – the time when the Jewish people stood at Mount Sinai and famously declared "Na’aseh V’Nishma" (We will do, and we will hear) – the Mayberg Foundation's Israel team is embracing this exact philosophy as we shape our upcoming grantmaking strategy.

As we expand and evaluate our philanthropic work in Israel, we look at our framework through what we call the "Renovated House Strategy." There are two structural approaches to this process: one is the "Research Institute" model, which involves sitting down to map out, theorize, and design a perfectly planned house from scratch before ever breaking ground. The second approach – the one we feel deeply aligned with – is to step inside the house, live in it, and learn its unique needs by experiencing it firsthand. In other words, rather than designing a rigid strategy in isolation, we believe the best way to deploy capital most effectively is to put financial resources directly into the field and learn from those dollars at work.

In philanthropy, over-planning can often delay meaningful progress, because learning is infinite. Entrepreneurial philanthropy refines as impact is – or is not – demonstrated. For us, "Na’aseh V’Nishma" means saying "yes" to action. It means engaging directly with organizations in the field, backing them financially, and walking alongside them as invested partners. By empowering grantees with funding, we create a dynamic loop: we evaluate the real-world impact of these investments together, and the insights we gain directly shape and sharpen our broader funding approach moving forward. Through this active doing, we "hear" and comprehend the deeper nuances. We take calculated risks with our capital, knowing some initiatives will succeed and others will require adaptation.

This entrepreneurial spirit of "learning through doing" will guide us across all the strategic areas we are currently exploring for Israel. We are excited to embark on this journey of action, iteration, and continuous growth.

AIPAC Minyan Mission to East Asia Highlights Growing Ties—and Personal Commitment to Israel’s Future

Manette & Louis at the Grand Hotel

ROC President Lai Ching-te

Louis and ROC President Lai Ching-te

From October 21-29, 2025, Manette and Louis Mayberg joined AIPAC’s Minyan Mission to East Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan), an enriching experience that provided deep insights into the trilateral relationship between the United States, Israel, and these strategically important nations. The mission began in Seoul, where the delegation visited the demilitarized zone along the North Korean border and the Korean War Memorial. Together the group explored South Korea’s growing relationship with Israel in conversations with South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and Minister of Trade Yeo Han-koo as well as Israel's Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Rafael Harpaz.

From there, the group traveled to Taiwan where they heard from Republic of China President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Minister of Defense Wellington Li-Hsiung Koo. The leadership spoke in depth about Israel and Taiwan’s mutually supportive relationship and about opportunities to expand those important ties. They also expressed profound gratitude for their relationship with the United States and their hope to see those ties deepen even further. In Taiwan our delegation also experienced an unprecedented Shabbat celebration at the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center and explored some of Taipei’s historical landmarks.

The mission concluded in Tokyo, where the group heard from Ambassador of the State of Israel to Japan Gilad Cohen, and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada. Both Ambassadors talked about the historic moment we are in and the opportunity to expand the diplomatic and economic relationships between Israel, Japan, and the U.S.

ROC President Lai Ching-te’s Tweet about the aipac minyan mission

Reflecting on the experience Manette shared, "It was remarkable to hear government leaders in Seoul speak about shared values with Israel, specifically family and education. In Taipei we heard repeatedly that Taiwan and Israel are both small countries and face looming enemies.”

She added, “Both countries’ officials expressed overwhelming support for Israel and admiration for the tenacity and strength of the Israeli people. Some even went so far as to say they can only hope their people would prove as strong and resilient as the Israelis if tested."

Manette and Louis’ participation in this mission reflected their personal commitment to supporting and strengthening the vital trilateral relationships among Israel, the United States, and key partners in East Asia. Their involvement highlights the importance of the shared values—democracy, security, and mutual respect—that bind these countries together and ensure each country’s long-term security and prosperity.

Read more about this growing partnership: Citing Biblical story, Taiwan president says Israel is a model for island's defence