Chavivim Lakewood Unveils First Response Vehicle and Welcomes 11 New Members
Chavivim Lakewood reached a defining milestone this November, gathering volunteers, supporters, and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Lakewood, New Jersey to celebrate the arrival of Chavivim 18-01 — the division's very first dedicated response vehicle and the ninth unit in Chavivim's nationwide fleet.
A Division Takes the Road
Since launching in Ocean County, Chavivim Lakewood volunteers have responded to calls on foot and with borrowed resources, building a reputation for fast, caring assistance across one of New Jersey's fastest-growing Jewish communities. The arrival of 18-01 changes that equation entirely — a fully-equipped SUV staged and ready, 24 hours a day, to reach members of the community wherever they need help.
The vehicle is stocked and outfitted to handle the full range of roadside and emergency scenarios the division encounters: flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and the unexpected calls that come in at any hour. Having a dedicated unit means faster response, more consistent availability, and a visible symbol of commitment to the community.
Chavivim 18-01 — Unit Nine in the Fleet
Chavivim 18-01 represents a significant chapter not just for Lakewood, but for the broader Chavivim network. As the ninth vehicle across all divisions, it reflects the organization's steady, deliberate growth from a single-county operation into a multi-division emergency response presence serving Jewish communities from New York to New Jersey.
The unit is sponsored by the Graizinger family, in memory of Jacob Isaac — a dedication that gives the vehicle a personal and lasting significance beyond its operational role. AUTObuff and BARINA Automotive Services also contributed to making 18-01 road-ready, ensuring it meets the standard the division's volunteers and the community deserve.
Eleven New Volunteers Join the Team
Alongside the vehicle unveiling, Chavivim Lakewood welcomed eleven new volunteers into its ranks — a simultaneous expansion of both equipment and manpower that positions the division for real operational depth across Ocean County.
These eleven members join a division already known for its responsiveness and professionalism, trained to handle the calls that come in day and night — from a stranded family on the Garden State Parkway to a lockout in a Lakewood neighborhood at 2 a.m. Each new volunteer extends the division's reach and reduces response times for the communities that count on them.
Serving Lakewood and the Region
Chavivim 18-01 and its crew of volunteers are positioned to serve Lakewood and the surrounding townships of Toms River, Jackson, Howell, Brick, and Manchester. Ocean County is home to one of the largest and most rapidly growing Jewish communities in the United States, and Chavivim Lakewood is committed to growing right alongside it — adding resources, training, and volunteers as the need increases.
The ribbon-cutting was both a celebration and a statement: Chavivim is here in Ocean County, fully resourced, and ready for whatever comes next. If you would like to support the division's work or learn more about volunteering, visit frontend.chavivim.org.
Photos and reporting courtesy of FrumNews.