Please don't overwhelm our brothers

[yungermanchik]

Thanks!

Good idea. Anyone know of any great ones offhand?

This or  this?

[jj1000]

Thanks!

Good idea. Anyone know of any great ones offhand?

https://www.jewishorlando.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/5375306/jewish/Tourists.htm

https://www.theshul.org/touristinfo

[Dawie]

The argument is that shluchim are being funded by donors to do outreach etc and for communities

And then you have family members who treat chabad houses like a free hostel network... And yes many bring friends too.. that's how chabad youth and adults see the world cheap / free

from my (limited) experience the bocherim are usually helping and working not freeloading...
(and they dont talk in shul)

[Dan]

Nicely written!

"But that being said, many Chabad House websites do have that information available on their sites..."  Might encourage others to do so if you link to some of those sites.  I know I've seen one recently that was especially comprehensive and helpful, but can't remember now where it was.

Done, thanks.

Last call for suggestions!

[Yehuda57]

Thanks!

Good idea. Anyone know of any great ones offhand?

https://www.chabadvallarta.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3437773/jewish/Visitor-Center.htm

[Dan]

Published, thanks all!
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/travel-tips/dos-donts-while-enjoying-chabad-services-travels/

[Dan]

Published, thanks all!
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/travel-tips/dos-donts-while-enjoying-chabad-services-travels/

Updated with more tips from Shluchim.

[Thrifty]

"rather than guessing who it might be and then asking how they are from you" - missing the word "far" between how and they.

EDIT: fixed already

[biobook]

Many people don't check the websites.

I got a call about a week ago:
"Hi,
We're traveling through and Googled your number. Are there any places to get Kosher food here?"
I was happy to direct them to TJs or the local kosher section, but they could've saved the phone call by looking on our site.
PS. The closest kosher establishment with ready made food is a 3 hour drive.

It may be instructive to compare the number of people who call without checking the website to the number of people who check the website without calling (that is, the number of hits on that page in the same time period).

[ejb123]

Updated with more tips from Shluchim.

Thank you @Dan for posting this to the main site. I hope that most people follow and respect your "rules of the road".

[Dan]

Coming full circle...
https://twitter.com/ezalmanov/status/1681732339947192327

[mlight]

I've found chabad of flagstaff to be one of the best websites... koshercanyon.com

[lcm]

Thoughts on this draft article? @Yehuda57 @lcm @MeirS
Don't share yet please.
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/travel-tips/dos-donts-taking-advantage-chabad-services-travels/

Only saw this now, even with the message
Anyhow, great job, I see the others have some great feedback.

[Dan]

I've found chabad of flagstaff to be one of the best websites... https://www.thekoshercanyon.com/

FTFY

[Hjay]

@Dan  great article. Awareness is key.


Just a quick point from the other side -

I recently went away with family & needed a Sefer Torah, called the local chabad & asked if they were able to help. They were very happy to accommodate & were clear about their fee. I was very happy they were upfront about the charge even if I may have thought it was a drop overpriced because there was no guessing game.

Don’t make believe you’re doing a favor for somebody & get mad when they don’t fill your (unknown) expectations. Ppl don’t always understand or view things the way you do (ie: chabad houses are entirely self funded) & some ppl are simply jerks. If you’re upfront about what you expect from somebody for your service it’s pretty hard to be disappointed. Obviously that doesn’t excuse a person for acting like a jerk or the fact that he should be more aware of the work you put in etc… Many times ppl won’t state a price because they think they’ll come out ahead that way, that’s a gamble - don’t be surprised when it doesn’t work in your favor.

[jj1000]

@Dan  great article. Awareness is key.


Just a quick point from the other side -

I recently went away with family & needed a Sefer Torah, called the local chabad & asked if they were able to help. They were very happy to accommodate & were clear about their fee. I was very happy they were upfront about the charge even if I may have thought it was a drop overpriced because there was no guessing game.

Don’t make believe you’re doing a favor for somebody & get mad when they don’t fill your (unknown) expectations. Ppl don’t always understand or view things the way you do (ie: chabad houses are entirely self funded) & some ppl are simply jerks. If you’re upfront about what you expect from somebody for your service it’s pretty hard to be disappointed. Obviously that doesn’t excuse a person for acting like a jerk or the fact that he should be more aware of the work you put in etc… Many times ppl won’t state a price because they think they’ll come out ahead that way, that’s a gamble - don’t be surprised when it doesn’t work in your favor.

This is looking at a Chabad house as a business. It's not.

[Hjay]

This is looking at a Chabad house as a business. It's not.

So the correct thing should’ve been that they didn’t give me a price & I decide how much to donate because they’re doing something they’re happy doing even if I would just give them a big thank you with a smile?


I actually used to look at it differently but after reading this thread & the article my view changed a bit, I wouldn’t exactly define it as a business but it definitely has some mix of helping Jews in many diff ways but at the same time needing to sustain themselves. Chabad aside, any rabbi has this conflict I actually know more than one (family) wealthy rabbi who doesn’t take a salary b/c he doesn’t need it. Most ppl aren’t able to do that & need to put a price on their services. To have a price, not state it & then be mad is either being stupid or gambling & losing the gamble. An article like the one written raises awareness for those who care & just didn’t know, jerks will be jerks regardless & they don’t discriminate be it in religion business or anything else.

I think it’s beautiful what chabad does & bh I’ve experienced it first hand as well as have a friend who’s a shliach in a far off place so I see what he goes through & what he does.

[jj1000]

So the correct thing should’ve been that they didn’t give me a price & I decide how much to donate because they’re doing something they’re happy doing even if I would just give them a big thank you with a smile?


I actually used to look at it differently but after reading this thread & the article my view changed a bit, I wouldn’t exactly define it as a business but it definitely has some mix of helping Jews in many diff ways but at the same time needing to sustain themselves. Chabad aside, any rabbi has this conflict I actually know more than one (family) wealthy rabbi who doesn’t take a salary b/c he doesn’t need it. Most ppl aren’t able to do that & need to put a price on their services. To have a price, not state it & then be mad is either being stupid or gambling & losing the gamble. An article like the one written raises awareness for those who care & just didn’t know, jerks will be jerks regardless & they don’t discriminate be it in religion business or anything else.

I think it’s beautiful what chabad does & bh I’ve experienced it first hand as well as have a friend who’s a shliach in a far off place so I see what he goes through & what he does.

Where do you see shluchim getting mad at a small or no donation?

[Yehuda57]

This is looking at a Chabad house as a business. It's not.

That's one of the key issues at the heart of this. For many Chabad Houses there absolutely are business portions of their Shlichus, especially as it relates to services for frum travelers.

In those instances, it is better for all involved if there is more of a transactional attitude, where the price and services are agreed upon.

[YYbochur]

Thanks!

Good idea. Anyone know of any great ones offhand?

https://lincolnnhminyancom.weebly.com/