Kolel Chibas Yerushalayim

Kolel Chibas Jerusalem (Hebrew: כולל חיבת ירושלים), one of the numerous charities known as Charity of Rabbi Meyer Ba'al Ha-Nes — named after the great 2nd century Jewish sage Rabbi Meir — is a kollel, a large charitable organization based in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighbourhood and which supports Jews who have emigrated to the Holy Land from Galicia, a historical geographical region spanning southeastern Poland and western Ukraine, formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

From the outset, the organization received wide support in the Galician Jewish community, with the rabbis of Sanz, Ropshitz, Dinov, and Belz actively involved in fundraising.

They declared that having a Kolel Chibas Jerusalem Reb Meyer Baal Haness charity box, in the house was a segulah for salvation, healing, success and pride from their children.

The largest project of the Kolel's over seven million dollar budget is the Chalukah, the distribution of quarterly stipends to families that cannot make ends meet.

Families that are not on the Chalukah list can still get special help before Pesach or Rosh Hashanah to ease the burdens generated by the additional expenses of the Yomim Tovim.

Thousands of pushkas are distributed to Jewish homes worldwide, where tzedakah is given by Jews daily, before praying, or before doing any mitzvah, or in a time of need or distress.

Many people observe the custom of giving charity to Kolel Chibas Jerusalem Reb Meyer Baal Haness before the Shabbos candle lighting, which is an accustomed time to pray for important things such as good and healthy children, success, wealth, and health etc.

Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, the charity's first Honorary President
The current three Honorary Presidents