A proud division of Chavivim — serving communities since 2018
Shabbos & Yom Tov

When the world stops, we don't.

Since 2023, we have run a dedicated Shabbos & Yom Tov program — a non-Jewish unit for tasks halacha doesn't permit our regular members to do, plus our usual 24/7 emergency response by our own volunteers wherever halacha permits action. Rabbinically approved. Free, always.

Since 2023 Rabbinically approved 24/7 dispatch
Two response models, one phone number.

How our Shabbos & Yom Tov program works.

If the task is halachically permissible for our volunteer members on Shabbos or Yom Tov, our regular Chavivim units handle it — same dispatch, same response, same number. If it isn't, we send our dedicated Shabbos goy unit instead. The community calls dispatch; we route the right team.

  1. Call dispatch.

    Our dispatch line is staffed every hour, every day, including Shabbos and Yom Tov.

  2. Describe the situation.

    Dispatch decides whether the task is one our volunteer members can take on, or one for the goy unit — based on rabbinic guidance the program is built on.

  3. Help arrives.

    Same Chavivim, same standards of training and conduct — whichever team responds.

Shabbos goy services

Non-emergency Shabbos & Yom Tov tasks halacha doesn't permit our regular volunteers to perform — handled by our dedicated Shabbos goy unit, every task reviewed and approved by Chavivim's Rabbinical Board.

Hospital transfers

Non-emergency transport to and from the hospital — including bringing patients home after discharge — handled by our dedicated Shabbos goy unit so the trip happens without delay.

Non-medical transfers

Scheduled appointments, prescription pickups, food and supply deliveries for patients, and other non-emergency transport our community needs on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Shabbos patrol

Active patrol presence through the community during Shabbos and Yom Tov — eyes on the street, ready to respond to the small things before they become big ones.

Halfways

A dedicated halfway-support service for the community on Shabbos and Yom Tov, run alongside our patrol and transfer operations.

Shabbos & Yom Tov emergency response

Pikuach nefesh and other situations where halacha permits (and demands) immediate action on Shabbos or Yom Tov — handled by our regular volunteer members. Same training, same dispatch, every day of the year.

House lockouts

Locked out of your home over Shabbos or Yom Tov? Call dispatch and our regular volunteer members will get you back inside — handled the same way as any other emergency response on Shabbos.

Search & Rescue (SAR)

Lost children, missing adults, hikers overdue from a walk — when a search is needed on Shabbos or Yom Tov, halacha permits (and demands) immediate action. Our regular volunteer members deploy with the same training, gear, and dispatch they use during the week.

Halachic Oversight

Approved by our Rabbinical Board.

Every task in our Shabbos & Yom Tov program — and the dispatch process behind it — was reviewed and approved by Chavivim's Rabbinical Board before launch in 2023, and is reviewed on an ongoing basis. We ask members of the community to consult their own posek for guidance in each specific situation, even when the task is performed by our non-Jewish unit.

Read the original 2023 launch announcement
When You Need Us

Shabbos, Yom Tov, or any time. Just call.

Our dispatch is staffed every hour of every day, including Shabbos and Yom Tov. Tap the number — a volunteer will answer.

(845) 444-2200 Tap to call dispatch · 24/7