Facts in Judaism
Jewish Records: Where is the World's Largest Center for Acts of Kindness?
A city of remarkable compassion: Thousands of gemachs provide assistance to people in need in the world's largest city of kindness.
(Photo: shutterstock)The city of Bnei Brak is known to all as the first ultra-Orthodox city in Israel and is often referred to as the City of Torah. Did you know that it can also be called the world's largest center for kindness?
In the city of Bnei Brak, there are over 1,100 gemachs (centers for acts of kindness) classified into different categories such as: celebrations, health, circumcision, redemption of the firstborn, help for new mothers, and, of course, assistance during special times such as shiva (the seven-day mourning period), with mourners' chairs, Torah scrolls for prayer services in the mourner's home, and more.
Some of the gemachs lend items to people in a pinch, such as pacifier gemachs and medication gemachs, while others offer products for needy populations - such as monthly food packages, baby formula, challot for Shabbat, and more.
It is commonly said with a smile that in the city of Bnei Brak there is a gemach for everything. It's amazing to see how the attribute of kindness is so beloved by the Jewish people and how many people dedicate their time, resources, and effort to helping others.
