Every year, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey designates “hometown heroes” whose accomplishments and efforts are recognized in a special ceremony. The short list of heroes included Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan of Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Bergen County and Rabbi Mendy Kaminker of Chabad of Hackensack. In the weeks after the global pandemic hit and public life shut down, the rabbis and their wives were sources of support and inspiration for local community members. Before Passover, they distributed hundreds of Seder kits, then 1,000 Shabbat boxes, Shavuot kits and other packages to nourish body and soul. In addition to providing spiritual guidance and comfort to medical staff and patients in the Hackensack University Medical Center, they also organized a massive facemask giveaway to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, would be adequately protected against the virus. For more information, please visit:https://www.chabad.org/4800783.