Best Cities in USA to Collect for Meshulach?

I need urgent info my DH befriended a Sephardi meshulach for E.Y.

DH met him when he came to our door looking lost/cold and needing helping collecting to pay doctor bills for his son who was a victim of a home invasion by an Arab thug. The son's doctor's bills ran to $5,000 USD. He not being a professional meshulach did not seem to have much success he is a gentle learning Rabbi who is only here for his son.

We can't really help greatly with money right now Sad

, so my DH befriended him and drove him around town after he was mugged by some ruffians. One week in Toronto yielded about $1K and one week in Montreal under deep freeze conditions also yielded about $1K total.

He was shocked to learn the voucher person in Montreal took 1/3 of the profits. Shocked

So, now he has to head to the USA to avoid his child ending up on the street due to the medical costs. He was thinking of going Chicago or Lakewood. DH worries that these would not be good choices cause of the recession.

DH was thinking Teaneck, Farockaway, Monsey or Boston. I am in no way soliciting funds in the forum, but would like suggestions of US cities (not to far from each other) that would yield the best results. Your feedback is most appreciated! Very Happy

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 2534

I would think Brooklyn.

As an aside, can you please explain this? I'm unfamiliar with how the meshulach system works, thanks.

He was given you know say 50 dollar tickets by people ..and when he went to cash them he got a very nasty surprise when the people cashing the took $500 minimum as a "service fee" for cashing the tickets. This was AFTER he gave them the tickets he was informed of the service fee. He begged this supposed frum men that he was a talmid chacham and in need of the funds. They said "business is business". Since he knew he couldn't cash them anywhere except Montreal, he felt he had no choice.

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 2534

In Baltimore, we have a system where the schools get a % of the value of the vouchers collected, but the collector must have a document and when he is given the document he is "checked out" and explained the way the system works.

They do this in all big jewish communities in canada....Suposedly for safety Rolling Eyes

I hope I can find some tips on cities for him. he barely eats and is such a gentle tzadik

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 2534

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 2534

he is not a profesional ,but has letters of reference ...DH fears he got ripped off ,other meshulachim go around in pairs a lot maybe is a safety thing . He was not told upfront about the fee ,he was so shocked at how high the cost was $500 Shocked

that ment walking around in the snow without propper clothes ....We are moved by his devotion to his son and DIL. Sad

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4656

Yes, they come in different denominations and I think you can choose which mosad receives the percentage. It is a way of keeping a certain amount of money for local funding. It would be geneivas da'as not to inform the meshulach ahead of time what the system is.

If this meshulach in question only needs $5,000 (or less; it seems like some was already collected in Canada?) I would imagine that is not too hard to collect. In certain cities, like Baltimore, you need a certificate from Rabbi Heinemann to collect (or else people won't give). This is regardless of whether they give the meshulach cash, a check (not recommended), or a voucher.

Suprisingly, I would say Lakewood is a very popular place for meshulachim. I have lived in Brooklyn and only occasionaly had meshulachim come to my door. In Lakewood, I get a few daily. I know that there is a vaad here that gives out a certificate to validate the meshlach. I think in a way it is easy to go to a frum development (and we've got plenty of em!) and collect from house to house, without walking great distances. Though many of the homes house kollel mishpachos, getting 5 dollars from 50 homes, in 30 minutes, can often be more worthwhile than driving in areas where homes are more spread out. We also have a soup kitchen specifically for meshlachim, called the Bais Hatavshil, if he needs a place to eat.

Senior Member Joined: Nov 30 2008 Posts: 230

I don't know who to contact for the certificate, but the number for Bais Hatavshil is 732-276-1811. They may be able to explain the process as they deal a lot with meshlachim. Sorry I don't have any other info!Tizku Limitzvos!

masbia has soup kitchens in brooklyn as well, if he is in boro park they have on one 14th ave. its supposed to be a really nice bechavedige place with full meals, restaurant like atmosphere
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Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4769

I am confused....how did someone like this get the money for a plane ticket to the US?
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