On Thursday, Nov. 3, there was a bulletin issued by the FBI warning about a credible threat of terrorism against New Jersey synagogues. B”H, by Friday, Nov. 4, the perpetrator was identified and captured. As soon as the threat was broadcast, Chaverim mobilized its members to patrol shuls and other Jewish institutions throughout the various Bergen County communities. Over 35 of our members participated in the operation all night on Thursday as well as Friday morning. Our coordinators were in touch with, and briefed by, the FBI, Gov. Murphy’s office and local police.

After the operation, we were thanked for our involvement by the two deputy mayors of Teaneck, Elie Katz and Mark Schwartz; Congressman Josh Gotheimer; Rabbi Stechler of Heichal Hatorah; and others.

Chaverim has been very active over the past year, with about 2,000 calls answered. The help we provide covers a very wide variety of issues. It includes standards like flats and boosts, but also includes other car related issues, including lockouts, sometimes with children in the car. Anything that people need help with, we’re there. House lockouts, flooding, an old person in a wheelchair stuck in their basement who can’t get out, lost children, older people and those with developmental disabilities, a dead animal in the backyard, and many, many more. If you need help, we’re there!

Your friends at Chaverim—we’re about more than changing flats!

Yitzhak Berger

Chaverim of Bergen County