Heroes of Israel: The Chicken Lady

I watched her video last year and it made a great impression on me... Baruch dayan haemet...

I don't have much, but what can I do to help keep her work alive? Her work cannot stop simply because she is no longer physically with us. As soon as I saw her picture on the email, my heart dropped, "Who will feed those people now?" was the first question that came to my mind. Did she leave a foundation? Tax free or not, I don't care. Some other faiths say, "The poor will always be with you," so nothing is done because there is so many, so many. As a Jew I am proud that we say that the hungry are our obligation to feed; I desperately want to help. Who, what, when, how...?

10 Nisan 5770 - Baruch Dayan HaEmet

This is what it is all about! Helping those in need. What a wonderful and kind lady! Bless you!

After viewing this e-movie, I was reminded once again of what a wonderful woman my cousin is. Bless you cousin, from Al's daughter in Nevada.

I would love hugging you and helping you... Toda Raba!

My Parents are both holocaust survivors. and seeing what you do for your fellow jews is unbelievably kind and comes straight from the heart which is what hashem values most, As the sages say , a good heart encompasses all good traits, and you Mrs. hammer have that with gold lined around it . May hashem bless you with only the best!

She is truly an angel.I want to help Mrs. Hammer with her mission of His love.I will be sending a donation. I also collect Chickens!!

Tears in our eyes for the great work you do and tears of joy in the eyes of those who receives your blessings

Dear Clara, How very proud I am of you. You look wonderful. Thank you for all your good work. Much love to you! Your cousin Mo in Los Angeles, California

What a lovely, generous, sparkly-eyed lady, such an inspiration to us all. A simple act of kindness like that from each of us, would make a huge difference, I am sending this to everyone I know.

Thank you for being a living example for the rest of us! And with such a smile! May all of us who see this live long and generous lives like Mrs. Hammer!

May God bless you, sweet lady. Tell more of these inspirations, please.

Mrs. Hammer, you are adorable and a true inspiration. My eyes swell with tears when i watch this small tribute to you. may hashem grant you much blessing , just as you have granted so many of your brethren.

Clara Hammer Chicken Fund POB 18602 Jerusalem 91185 Israel

Mrs Hammer - God's gift to mankind. I pray that this precious gift Mrs.Hammer be showered with God's love and mercy to see her through her days here on Earth... I am not a Jew but a Sikh. I don't live in Israel nor do I live in Europe or America...I live in Asia, in a country called Malaysia and from here Mrs. Hammer, I say a prayer to the Almighty for your well being...

I was in the American Army in WW2 and know the horrors of war,. To find an enemy that hides behind women and children must be difficult. to say the least. I admire your courage.

You are a true inspiration Mrs Hammer.. People always thinks of things to do but very few people actually follow through! May Hashem bless you in the way you have blessed others.

I am impressed by the Chicken Lady's sacrifices. She is amazing.

Praise to the Lady. Praise to YU. No one more deserving of an Honorary Doctorate in Kindness than the "Chicken Lady" who is a soldier in God's Army, imitating His Mercy and Kindness. Kol Hakavod. Rabbi Larry Nesis

I will never look at chicken fat or bones the same. I will thinkof this beautiful life.

She admired me very much and she is very kind.

I admire you so much. You remind me of my mother who was like you, giving to everyone, if when she didn't have. I am trying to continue that tradition. May G-d Bless You and keep you well.

Dr.Chaya Hammer is a true blessing. What an amazing woman!

Each one of us - whatever its age, financial and/or social situation, can find a little something to do to make our society better. Chava found it... and she gives all of us a wonderful feeling and an example to follow. We call her a heroe because people like her are few... shame on us! It is so simple, so easy to spread joy instead of sorrow!

what a woman of valor, to remember suffering is one thing, to transfer that to save others, that is so good.

G.d bless this terrific Lady. But the point is there are hungry children in Israel and as I know the Society in Israel none of the politicians care about it. The old solidiraty does not exist anymore. To sad, but is truth.

Way to go for your unbelievable chessed, kindness. you are a true tzaddekes, righteous woman. May hashem bless you with much joy and blessing.

And they say we are not worthy of redemption. They must not know of your great chesed. Your merits should be able to carry us to Moshiach. May he come speedily and in our day.

Thank you for doing what you are doing and for sharing it with the world. Gob bless you!

God Bless you. Shalom

Thank you for your story. I wish you a happy life.

God Bless you...You should be well and live till 120 years.

Mrs. Hamer, May the Lord Bless you and keep you in good health. You are an inspiration to all.

The short moving examples of unsung heroes,triggers the idea in each individual the possiblility of starting a journey of Chesed and self discovery.

This woman truly loves her neighbor as herself! God Bless you Chaya!

shes kind

It makes me happy to realize that such great human beings exist in this somewhat sad world.

Each story should be an inspiration to all of us. Thank G-d there are people like this in our world.

My mother always said it is better to give then receive/ Your story is beautiful/ May GOD bless you& your family

I am not from Israel but I am so deeply touch by all the stories of your heroes. May there be more like them all over the world.

I wish I were a chicken lady too. You are such a blessing and have turned those things intended for evil into a blessing for the hungry.

Thanks for helping those who are in great need. May you always have money to pay the butcher! Shalom

Chicken Lady, alright!

I can only hope to do a small measure that the Chicken Lady has done. Thank you for a wonderful story.

wow that is amazing you should have koach to continue ad mea viesrim yashir koach

a blessed hero of Israel and the Jewish people and she wrote my daughter Julianne a letter for her Bat 'Mitzvah! A wondrous person-

It is uplifting to see that people care about others. If we could all practice a bit of kindness each day, what a wonderful world we would have.

people like Chaya Hammer show us the hand of God. Thank you.

This is Judaism personified!

Thank you for never forgetting what to be hungry is and taking that experience to help other who are living what you had to live at a such a young age! You are G-D's hand to this people!

thank you for sharing your love to the ppl Israel. I used to live in Jerusalem and its one of the best blessings you can help w/is...a shabbat one!

I MUST SAY,THAT IT,S VERY SELDOM THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY,TO HEAR OF SUCH "PURE KINDNESS AND EXTREME GENEROSITY"THAT COMES FROM A HEART OF GOLD,TO WHICH CHAYA HAMMER HAS. SHE IS NOT ONLY "AN ANGEL" BUT ALSO,ONE THAT LOOKS 20 YEARS YOUNGER THAN HER AGE! GOD BLESS HER,AND SOMEBODY PLEASE,GIVE HER A BIG HUG AND KISS FROM ME!! CINDI KLEIN-CUOMO

BS"D Dear Chaya, We thank G-d for having you and bring great relief to many people. May HShm, continue to bless you with long life in good health and tremendous support to your mitzva project. Shalom. Shana tova u metukah.

May Hashem give Mrs. Hammer many more years and health and wealth to keep doing such a wonderful Mitzva, Kol Hakabod!!!

I was so moved by her compassion that my first reaction was " How can I help her with this?" SO... How can we help?

Thank you for these wonderful and inspirational videos.

It is difficult to be really happy in a complex environment.However, Mrs Hammer demonstrated a timely and simple reminder to be really happy!

doda chaya, what an amazing chesed you took upon herself and you should always have good health and be strong to keep doing your mitzva work !!. we love you!!

Very nice!!

Kindness is our only hope. May God Bless Mrs. Hammer. Yasher Koach!

How can we emulate this behavior in our neighborhoods. It is becoming more necessary with the insecure job market but what is a good idea to help others? I think it is important to start greeting others and of course doing it in a kind way. Also, the little things make a difference. Help with local tzedakah's and volunteer in the area as well as creating new ones that don't exist. Free loan societies, (Good) Food for Shabbos, Yom Tov help, Help for Young Couples, all of these are important and all start with one person stepping up. Will there be a video about you? I hope so. Give it your best and don't give up!

Dear Mrs. Hammer, If only you knew just how precious your giving really is! How proud you make Hashem to say, "Mi Kamech Yisrael?!" "Who is like my nation Israel?!" You give with all of your heart and soul, you give as you would give to yourself, without hesitation. There are people who give, but they give meat and chicken that is just a few days to expiring. They give, but of lesser quality, and they demand to see a bill and ask exactly what you used the money for. They give, but don't believe your refrigerator is empty. They give, BUT THEY HOLD BACK THEIR HEARTS. Thank G-d for people like you, and trust me there are still a handful of people I know that give with hearts of gold. To my mother-in-law and my fairest Grace, who give without ever ever holding back their hearts!

my heart cried with her first from sadness and than from happiness for what she is doing..... God bless.

this lady is absolutely amazing. i think all of us can learn from her!

Absolutetly beautiful. Thanks for the message " everyone can help ". Esther

If only people would do this kind of thing instead of wasting their millions (that they don't know what to do with)on stuff they don't need. What a blessing! You are storing up riches in heaven. God bless you.

We all should treat other people like the Chicken Lady

Dr. Hammer is an angel who touches the lives of so many with her kindness and generosity. The world would be a better place if we had more people like her.

Halevai, many more people like her, the world will look better

When I was a little girl, I remember my mother baking breads and cakes. When someone needed food our door was always opened. we never locked our doors because we knew a lot people were hungry and when we needed something, we got it.

What happend to that style of life. We need to go back to the basics and demand the change.

Tersa A Barton Kuhl

only special people have the love and ability to give others. it's not only money, but caring and kindness.

It's always better to give or send money for food for someone to eat rather than one spending it on his/herself. Indeed, it's a good feeling when you help finance a hungry, impoverished person a nice warm meal than it is to consume one's self. If only there was a better breadth of food than the depth of it being consumed in richer parts of the world where obesity happens to be an epidemic while other parts are ridden with famine. G-d will ask you if you helped feed the poor and hungry, as well as asking you if you conducted your businesses ethically.

It's my hope that your deeds will inspire others to become an aishet chayil like you. You're one remarkable lady.

God will bless this wonderful Chicken Lady!!

We, too, collect stuffed animals & dollies. She is a wonderful woman. She is a true living example of Chessed and what Judaism is all about, a real Light unto the Nations.

Mrs. Hammer is an inspiration to everyone in the world! May she be blessed with many more years of happiness and health.

Clara may GOD bless you and give you 97 more years

My wife Leslie was a teacher in the school where Sara's son-in-law was the Dean. She started by "renting" golf pencils to the kids who came to math class without implements. Over the years it got bigger and better with many in the school getting involved and thousands of dollars a year being sent to Clara. To Dr. Clara...mazel tov.

To experience such hatred as a child in a prison camp and go on to perform such mitzvahs, is so nice to read! If we all acted like Clara more often, this world would be a much better place.

It just shows that you don't have to have wings to be an angel. What a kind and wonderful lady! She is an inspiration to all people of the world.

we are all proud of you Clara. May Hashem bless you with long healthy years. love, sylvie

A beautiful women of kindness and grace that should be an example for all Jews.

After watching your video I knew where my class will be sending their tzedakah that it collected. I am so very anxious to share this video with my first graders and watch our puska fill up to help fill up empty tummies of children probably the same age as the ones I teach!

Clara is amazing on screen and even more amazing in person. She sings and dances her way into your heart with her enthusiasm for her project, and puts my 30 something energy to shame.

G'veret Hammer, you are a model for all of us Jewish women! At the age of 97 years old, you are doing acts of chesed that many half your age have not accomplished. May HaShem continue to give you the strength to perform this tremendous mitzvah! Ya'asher koakh!!

I hope people are inspired by the Mitzvahs you perform.

mrs.c.hammer.sq my goodluck to watch you.? god bless you >? thanks u n aish.com sam

Thank you for showing me how blessed I am. Shalom, Johanna Bat Sheva

May you be granted many more years ad 120,in good health. May you be rewarded for your kindness and chessed work in kind. You are a very special lady, a real yiddishe mamma.

You are everything we should all aspire to be. Blessings to you.

Your work here on earth, shall be Blessed. Your heart is now On Air via FM Radio around the world.

I am so glad I was able to meet the chcicken lady. May this short video inspire many others to find their "Chesed in Life".

What an inspiration. I have never experienced hunger but I can imagine what it must be like. My heart goes out to this wonderful lady. Would that our world was full of Chicken Ladies!!!!

MRS HAMMER HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF OUR KINGSWAY FAMILY.A VERY SPECIAL LADY.MAYYOU CONTINUE YOUR GOOD DEEDS FOR MANY MORE YEARS. THE BLOOM FAMILY

It is wonderful to see that you really did something about what you felt was an injustice to poor people. You are a true Aishes Chayil and an inspiration to all of us.

Doctor Hammer...you are truly "Wonder Woman" Yashakoach...Your video has inspired me to send a contribution

I'm so thrilled that now the rest of the world will know (via Aish) what we in Jerusalem alredy know - you're a living embodiment of tzedakah and mesirut nefesh. Ad meah v'esrim - and beyond!

You are an inspiration to us all.

Clara, you are G-d's gift from heaven... Many blessings to you..

mrs.hammer thank u so much for helping the ppl. in need its a big help!!!!!hope u and ur family be zocher 2 be at the time of mashiach!!!!!!

May we all merit the understanding of our mission in this lifetime like this true woman of compassion and good deeds.

What an amazing woman who took the initiative to help so many poor families. If there were 100 Mrs. Hammers, the wolrd would be a better place to live in.Kol Hakovod! she is a role model for all Jews.

May G-d continue to bless you as you bless so many others.

Hashem gave you a tremendous gift to be a woman of just great chesed. You truly are a Yiddishe Momma and deserve to hear aishet chayil every day. May Hashem grant you health till 120 to continue the kindest of acts to feed children and families. K'tiva V'Chatima Tova. Sincerely, Reb. Doris Feinstein

you are an awesome Lady, you truly have a Heart of Gold.

You are a bright light in a dark world.
Blessings abounding because of your faithfulness!

May you continue to do the mitzvah that you do.

A very great, kind woman.

she is a woman of great kindness and an example of forgiveness, love, and redemption. She will be blessed in heaven

This woman is truly an inspiration. I'm just a bit concerned that maybe the names of the recipients were visible in the video on her computer.

What a wonderful human being. May she be zoche to greet Moshiach.

I can see why Hashem has rewarded Mrs. Hammer with such a long life. She is a most amazing lady. May she be granted many more years in good heath.

The chicken lady deserves a monument! Wow...what an inspiration to us all. Toda raba for reminding me what selflessness is. She is the best of us and what we should all strive to be.

Great is your reward in the kingdom it has been said if you do this to least of theese you've done it unto me. I know when God sees you He smiles and says thats my girl. You are truly an example of His limitless love. Shalome

I was very moved by your compassion Clara and pray that the LORD will bless you greatly...you set an amazing example for us all to follow.

G-d bless this mitzvah lady!

I cried when I saw what this beautiful and wonderful woman has been doing for the families in Israel! All I can say is may God richly always bless you Clara Hammer. I will continue to give to Israel because of people like you! You are a wonderful blessing1

Shalom and God's peace to this woman. What an example for all of us to follow! I totally believe that if we all just shared alittle with everyone in the world there would be no poverty. We can do it and it starts with a sharing heart like Mrs. Hammer's. Love thy neighbor as thyself - this is the whole torah and the prophets.

I am overwhelmed by the touching stories and work of those you have highlighted so far, please keep this series going it is inspirational.

Kol HaKavod-Ad Mayah V'Esrim...Geveret Hammer

What a joy to see this blessed saint honored! Since we first read about her, we have been privileged to support her work for several years from the US. What a blessing to get to help this lady as she serves Hashem and her fellow citizens! Truly she shows her love of God as she blesses the poor. Baruch HaShem!

It was wonderful to see and hear the lady for whose unique and wonderful program our minyan has been collecting and sending money to for some time. The chicken lady is famous here at Congregation or Shalom in Connecticut. Thank you for bringing her to us.

A very special lady.A true hero

Hi Doc, May G'd bless you for a lot of years. Shana Tova.

You know what it is to suffer hunger, and you turned your experience to the good of mankind. May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

If ever a person should be rewarded here on earth and the world ro come, this woman is such be so rewarded.

Haker still sells the bones Good to make soup from them Ishar Ko'Ach Mrs.Hammer, may you hav a good long , healthy and happy life Tizki L'Mitsvot

Our world needs more Clara Hammers!

Clara, you are a true Mensch. God Bless you for doing this

Clara, yes you made it to "Heroes of Israel". This is in fact what you are for always. You look and sound wonderful. I have known you for many years--not intimately--but we exchange greetings and brief conversation. We again met at the Bikur Cholim luncheon you attended with one of your lovely daughters. Now is our holiest period as we approach the Days of Awe. G-d should continue to bless you and shine his contenance upon you and your family. Please have your address appear prominently so that people can help you to fulfill this outstanding mitzvah. Shannah Tova

This wonderful lady really touched my heart. She is truly fulfilling her God-given plan and purpose...one chicken at a time! I pray "Clara Hammer" will be an inspiration to all Christians & Jews alike to be more like "Clara". I know I''m going to try harder...
God bless you Clara!

This lady brought tears into my eyes.... How does she do it? I wish I could do something like that..... Mrs. Hammer, Yashar Koach, May you live many many more years to help our people.

The address listed in another Aish.com article (a few years ago) about Mrs. Hammer is: The Chicken Lady Chaya Hammer Mishmar Ha'Gvul 4 Ramat Eshkol Jerusalem, ISRAEL

People who have gone through sheer hell themselves will do this. God Bless Her.

I know of Dr. Hammer's work through one of her daughters, Mrs. Homnick, who was my Hebrew school teacher in Philadelphia. She was the teacher of both my sister and I at Gratz College Hebrew High School. Rabbi Homnick has been our spiritual consultant for years. I was thrilled that my daughter recently collected funds for the Chicken Lady of Jerusalem as part of her bat mitzvah service project. Dr. Hammer has inspired generations of people to help others. Thank you Yeshiva University for honoring her with a doctorate. She educated her three daughters, who then educated countless others, who then educated their children. There are generations of women benefitting from the path Dr. Hammer has chosen, in addition to all the people she feeds. THANK YOU.

Ken Yirbu Kamoha! A role model to us all. It's my favorite charity! To contribute: sent to the Hammer Chicken Fund / 4 Mishmar HaGvul Street, Apt. 2 Ramat Eshkol, Jerusalem.

MRS HAMMER & MY MOM, LEE BRANDWEIN, WERE VERY INVOLVED IN THE ZIONA CHAPTER(BORO PARK) OF WHAT IS TODAY EMUNAH. AT THAT TIME MRS HAMMER WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH COLLECTING MONEY TO HELP THE CHILDREN IN ISRAEL. BOTH SHE & HER GOOD WORKS HAVE MADE ALIYAH! TIZKI L'MITZVOT.

Your short film about Dr. Clara Hammer, the Chicken Lady of Jerusalem, is well-done and thought-provoking. At age 70 for Clara Hammer to have started a fund that provides Shabbat needs for so many destitute families and continuing it into her 98th year - is a great achievememnt indeed. This was recently recognized by Yeshiva University in the form of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. The many contributors to her fund are witnesses to the inspiration she provides for all.

Baruch HaShem and bless Geveret Hammer

We never tire of hearing you tell your story and we never cease to be awed by the wonderful work you do. Continue, Continue, in good health until 120 and beyond!

From an article on Aish maybe seven or eight years ago, I read of Clara's work for the poor and started sending her money. On my last trip I called and said I would be in Jerusalem for a couple weeks and would it be possible to visit her. "It is Yerusahlim, not Jerusalem and of course you could come over" I am not a freakishly religious person, but sitting there with her talking about how she started the Chicken Lady Fund, I could feel the presence of HaShem touching her. It gave me more of a holy feeling than I had experienced before. I've given her name out for others to send money to when they are in need of business and I have had other people make out checks to her instead of paying me. I don't know how anyone could be more loved by HaShem than Clara Hammer, bless her.

According to Pirkei Avot, Dr. Hammer is to be honored because she honors others. Her doctoral dissertation was written with incomprehensible love for others and an example for all of Israel. Her example has inspired me to attempt to emulate her efforts in my part of the world. It tears at my heart that within a quarter of a mile from me I know that children are going to bed hungry as are their parents. Here in America that should happen? No. That should happen anywhere in the world? No. Of the three things necessary for human survival are food, clothing and shelter. Thank you Dr. Hammer for reminding us all that hunger is still a problem. With all the surplus food there is, her efforts can and must continue throughout the world.

Such a beautiful lady! I was curious, as was another, as to where the funds come from to do this. It's not necessary to know this. What she's doing is admirable and she speaks a deep truth for us all. Perhaps this can "egg" us all on to doing something good today and every day, for others. After all, Egged is a transportation system. I do believe in "E" motion!

This video should be rquired viewing in every day school, Hebrew school and Sunday scool. She along with her children, grandchidren are the ones who gives us strngth particularly with our world in constant turmoil.

I used to live down the block from that butcher, and I never knew Mrs. Hammer until this film. How does she do it? Where does she get the funds from? How could one contribute?