Kosher Community Fridge in Skokie Honors Hersh Goldberg-Polin Hy’d

A shul in the Chicago suburb of Skokie has launched a kosher community fridge dedicated to the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin Hy’d, the American-Israeli hostage murdered by Hamas after 328 days in captivity.

Organizers say “Hersh’s Fridge” is believed to be the first community fridge in the U.S. offering exclusively kosher food, designed to help both Jews and others in need of assistance.

“Through this fridge, Hersh’s values of chesed, community, and bridge-building are continuing to serve as a blessing – and a revolution – for the Chicagoland area, where his family’s roots run deep,” reads a statement on the Solu organization’s website. Solu is affiliated with the Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue and works to strengthen connections between Orthodox Jews and neighboring communities.

Both of Hersh’s parents grew up in the Chicago area.

The new facility includes separate sections: one fridge for food and groceries purchased from kosher-certified establishments, another for sealed kosher groceries donated from private kosher homes, and a cabinet with shelf-stable items bearing recognized kosher certification.