Driving on Park Heights Avenue towards Seven Mile Lane, I saw a familiar figure directing traffic around a stalled car in the middle of the street. Later, I asked my son-in-law, Yair Friedman, how he came to be standing there surrounded by orange cones and looking very official in a fluorescent yellow vest. I was fascinated to hear that this is part of his role as a “unit” for Chaverim. As a member of the Baltimore community I have heard about Chaverim, of course, but I was interested to hear how this organization really works and what it does.
Yair joined the organization in January of this year and has already taken 155 calls. He was prepared for my interview with a list of statistics. Between January and April, he did 37 jump starts, 28 flat tires, eight pop-a-locks, four gas calls, six air in tires, five pull outs, and some shiva minyanim.
It is hard for me to fathom that people are willing to drop everything and go help a stranger. It is a true chesed. I can’t think of any ulterior motive for joining Chaverim unless it is the cool jacket that Yair wears that says “Chaverim” on the back. He tried to enlighten me in this short conversation.
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Devora Schor: Why do you do it? What motivates a person to run out on the spur of the moment to lie on the ground and change a tire for a complete stranger?
Yair Friedman: First of all, I often go on a call that turns out to be for my brother-in-law, my child’s teacher, or a friend. Even if I did not know this person before, it is an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that I can. I enjoy helping people. I can’t donate a lot of money to build buildings, and I am queasy about blood so I can’t volunteer for Hatzalah. But I can easily change a tire or pop a lock. It gives me satisfaction to be able to help. People have told me that I am a lifesaver.
DS: How do you know how to do these things?
Yair: When I joined Chaverim, I spent about a month going on calls with other units and monitoring what they do, so that I could learn how to change tires and pop locks, as well as the other things that Chaverim does. I found that it is not hard to do these jobs when you have the right equipment. Chaverim gives all its units the supplies they need. I have a one-ton jack, a jumpstart box, a drill set, a pop-a-lock set, a mallet, and other things that help me do a professional job.
DS: When you joined Chaverim, did they screen you? Do you feel that they are careful who they have joining their group?
Yair: Yes, the founder of Chaverim, Mr. David Bagan, interviewed me. He wants to be sure that the people who join have the right abilities and the support of their families. He also stresses the fact that being available to help others must be done in a balanced way and does not take away from a person’s other obligations. The current basic level of participation he is looking for is the ability to respond to four calls a week. The equipment that is given to each unit is expensive, and David does not want it to be sitting in the back of someone’s car unused.
DS: How do you know when there is a call?
Yair: When someone calls the Chaverim hot line, 410-486-9000, the call is automatically picked by the dispatcher on call. There is a rotation of 10 dispatchers who sign on and off seven days a week, 365 days a year (even on Shabbos and Yom Tov for a lost person or a child locked in a house). When the dispatchers receive the calls, they take down the information. If they determine that the situation is one we can help with, they have two ways to get the call out to the responding units.
Each unit is given a high-powered walkie-talkie; we call it a “radio.” The transmission from the dispatcher is first broadcast over the “radio” from a radio tower on top of the building on the corner of Slade and Reisterstown Road, where Dougie’s is located. I have been downtown and heard calls on the “radio.” Chaverim also has a WhatsApp group, so that units who can’t listen to the radio because they are at work or out of range can get a message though the WhatsApp group. Whichever units are near the location and available will respond with an estimated time of when they can come to help. The dispatcher continues to monitor the call until it is fully resolved.
DS: Is Chaverim only in Baltimore?
Yair: No, Chaverim in Baltimore has connections with Chaverim in other cities and even with the State Highway Administration. A person who needs help can call the Chaverim hotline even if they are out of the city. They might be able to get help from Chaverim in another city close to where they are traveling or from other state organizations.
DS: What can you tell us about the man who started Chaverim?
Yair: I really admire Mr. David Bagan who started Chaverim in Baltimore. He is the brains behind the whole program. The program is run professionally and only for the purpose of helping others. David cares about each person who joins and oversees everything that we do. He monitors and directs calls and gives feedback to make sure all the units are giving people good service. He also looks out for us and makes sure that we are treated fairly. Once someone asked for a service but then kept me waiting for a long time when I got there. When David heard how long the call took, he advised me that I did not have to wait and could have told the person that I cannot wait.
On June 23, David Bagan received the community safety award from Project Ezra and The Chesed Fund. This is the letter I wrote to nominate him:
Mr. David Bagan is the founder and director of Chaverim of Baltimore. Mr. Bagan puts his life and soul into ensuring that our community is safe and secure on the roads and when in need for a variety of mishaps. When I became a member in January, I started to get an idea of how often this organization helps countless individuals. Mr. Bagan’s care and concern for the safety and welfare of our community is certainly deserving of recognition. Chaverim of Baltimore is a nonprofit organization that helps dozens of people every week in a variety of ways. The Baltimore division of Chaverim is professionally run by its founder, David Bagan. I personally called them a few years ago when I got a flat tire on Park Heights Avenue. They sent a volunteer quickly, and he graciously and efficiently removed my damaged tire and put on my spare for me.
Approximately a month ago, I joined the group and can testify firsthand to how this dedicated group of approximately 20 members, and 10 dispatchers, are helping people – not just with flat tires, but also with pop-a-lock service, (often relied upon by police officers after rushing out of their cruisers for a call), door lockouts, jumpstarts, putting air in tires, bringing gas to cars on empty in the middle of the road, controlling traffic at accident scenes, and pulling cars out of the mud. At times, they need to rush to a lockout situation for a home or car when a child is locked inside. There is a special emergency signal that is sounded for these calls.
Mr. Bagan also has a separate division of Chaverim that helps people get a minyan for a shiva house or a funeral. One such story was featured in the news recently. To sum up, Chaverim members are people you never want to have to call but want them to be available if you do need to call. As one lady told me recently, I have AAA, but I called you first because I knew you could get here quicker. Other callers often say with relief, “You are a lifesaver!”
These tzadikim keep our community rolling all year long, whether in snow and ice or in rain or shine. It’s good to know that in Baltimore you always have a friend (or 20!) who are willing to drop everything to help you.
Sincerely,
Yair Friedman
DS: Is Chaverim looking for more dispatchers and responders?
Yair: Yes! For an application, please send an email to chaverimbaltimore@gmail.com, or call Mr. David Bagan for more information: 443-928-5361. It only takes a few minutes randomly spread out throughout the week to join this amazing chevra and help another Yid in a time of need. I think it is a fulfillment of the mitzva of azov tazov (going out of your way to help a friend load or unload his donkey [Shemos 23:5]). You can also help out by making a secure, tax deductible, donation on line at: chaverimofbaltimore.org/donate/. Chaverim relies on donations to be able to continue this amazing free service to our community.
