Question 1

What is Chavivim?

Accepted Answer

Chavivim is a 24/7 volunteer emergency response and roadside assistance network founded in 2018. Chavivim — Hebrew for friends — answers more than 80,000 calls each year across New York, New Jersey, Montreal, London, and Australia with over 500 trained volunteers, providing free help with roadside emergencies, lockouts, flooding, and search and rescue.

Question 2

How do I find the nearest Chavivim division?

Accepted Answer

The Chavivim Locator at chavivim.org/find automatically detects your location and shows the correct local Chavivim dispatch number for your county, ZIP code, or state. You can also search any address to find the right Chavivim near you, whether you are in Rockland, Orange County, the Catskills, Ocean County NJ, NYC, Montreal, London, or Melbourne.

Question 3

What is the Chavivim phone number near me?

Accepted Answer

Local dispatch numbers: Orange County NY (845) 920-2200; Rockland NY (845) 444-2200; Catskills / Sullivan County NY (845) 910-2200; Brooklyn & New York City (718) 871-7299; Ocean County / Lakewood NJ (848) 444-2200; South Florida (305) 697-2200; Tampa Bay FL (813) 819-2200; Montreal (514) 416-2200; London (020) 8050 9229; Australia (03) 4233 2200. If you are outside these areas, the locator will connect you to the Chavivim Interstate hotline at (845) 920-2200.

Question 4

Is Chavivim free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every Chavivim service is 100% free of charge. Chavivim is a volunteer-driven nonprofit funded entirely by community donations, with an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million.

Question 5

What services does Chavivim provide?

Accepted Answer

Chavivim provides flat tire changes, jump-starts, fuel delivery, vehicle lockouts, house lockouts, flooding response and water removal, search and rescue (SAR) for missing persons, and Shabbos/Yom Tov halacha-compliant emergency response. All services are free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Question 6

Is Chavivim available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chavivim dispatch operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including Shabbos, Yom Tov, holidays, and overnight.

Question 7

Does Chavivim respond on Shabbos and Yom Tov?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chavivim maintains a fully staffed, halacha-compliant Shabbos and Yom Tov response protocol. Calls received during Shabbos are handled in accordance with halacha by trained volunteers operating under rabbinic guidance.

Question 8

What is the difference between Chavivim and Hatzalah?

Accepted Answer

Hatzalah is a volunteer ambulance and EMS service that responds to medical emergencies. Chavivim is a complementary volunteer organization that handles non-medical emergencies such as roadside assistance, lockouts, flooding, and search and rescue. Both work side-by-side and refer calls to each other when needed. For a medical emergency, always call Hatzalah or 911 first.

Question 9

Does Chavivim do search and rescue?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chavivim operates a dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) division. SAR technicians complete more than 110 hours of training and hold New York State DEC certification, meeting the same standard as state Forest Rangers.

Question 10

What areas does Chavivim cover?

Accepted Answer

Chavivim has local divisions covering Orange County NY (Kiryas Joel, Monroe), Rockland County NY (Monsey, Spring Valley, Suffern, New Square), Sullivan County / Catskills NY (Woodbourne, South Fallsburg, Monticello), Ocean County NJ (Lakewood, Jackson, Toms River), New York City (Brooklyn — Boro Park, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Crown Heights — Staten Island, and Queens), South Florida (Miami, Hollywood, Aventura, Boca Raton), Tampa Bay FL, Montreal Canada, London UK, Melbourne Australia, and Kerestir Hungary.

Question 11

Does Chavivim cover Lakewood NJ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chavivim Ocean County serves Lakewood, Jackson, Toms River, Brick, Howell, and the surrounding Ocean County NJ area. Dispatch is (848) 444-2200, available 24/7.

Question 12

Does Chavivim cover Monsey and Rockland County?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chavivim Rockland serves Monsey, Spring Valley, Suffern, New Square, Kaser, Pomona, and all of Rockland County NY. Dispatch is (845) 444-2200, available 24/7.

Question 13

Does Chavivim cover the Catskills bungalow colonies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Catskills Chavivim serves Sullivan County NY year-round, with expanded summer coverage for the bungalow colonies in Woodbourne, South Fallsburg, Monticello, Loch Sheldrake, and Liberty. Dispatch is (845) 910-2200.

Question 14

How can I volunteer for Chavivim?

Accepted Answer

Chavivim is always recruiting community volunteers. Applicants complete background screening and division-specific training; SAR candidates complete an additional 110+ hours of certification. Visit chavivim.org or your local division's site to apply.

Question 15

How do I donate to Chavivim?

Accepted Answer

Donations support free 24/7 emergency response for the entire community. Visit chavivim.org/donate or your local division's donation page to give securely. Chavivim is a registered nonprofit funded entirely by community donations.

Question 16

Who founded Chavivim and when?

Accepted Answer

Chavivim was founded in 2018 and is headquartered at 400 Rella Blvd, Montebello, NY 10901. Since founding, the network has grown to more than 500 trained volunteers across eight regional divisions answering more than 80,000 calls per year.