A remarkable event took place in the Chaim V’Chessed offices on Monday, February 13. In recent months, it has been extremely difficult to obtain appointments for first-time passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for newborn babies born to US citizens in Israel. This is particularly frustrating in advance of the upcoming Pesach travel season. In response to this, Chaim V’Chessed hosted the US embassy for a first-time ever event. At this event, families with newborn babies were able to apply for CRBAs and first-time passports.
A full retinue of US Embassy staff arrived at Chaim V’Chessed led by Mr. Wilbur Zehr, Chief, American Citizen Services. Applicants pre-registered for the event and arrived at the lobby of the Chaim V’Chessed building at predetermined appointment times. After an Intake by a Chaim V’Chessed representative, they were escorted up to the offices where they submitted their documents to embassy officials and paid their fees. The average applicant spent a seamless 10 minutes in the Chaim V’Chessed offices! Upon completion of the process, applicants were scheduled a follow-up appointment for the following Friday.
Applicants appeared at the US Embassy for a brief appointment, simply to take oath in front of a consul. Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed was hosted by Embassy staff as applicants appeared at the Embassy. The majority of applicants will have their babies’ passports delivered to Chaim V’Chessed offices in the coming days. One grateful participant in this event wrote, “Had you not arranged this, we would never be able to travel to our parents for Pesach. Thank you so much!”
Chaim V’Chessed salutes the US Embassy for initiating this extremely beneficial event.