april color-page124

84 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE “Desecrate Shabbat to Save These Children!” It was Friday when Rabbi Yashar Dadash of Mifal Hateruma heard of a boy who was going to be taken by social services and remand- ed to a secular orphanage because his family was too poor to care for him properly. Committed to saving the child, Rabbi Dadash was unsure if he should attempt to intervene before Shabbat or wait until Saturday evening to make the trip to the boy’s home. When he called Gadol Hador, Hacham Ovadia Yosef shlita, the answer was clear and emphatic: “You must desecrate Shabbat to save this child!” Having come to the rescue of more than 400 young Torah scholars in their greatest hour of need, Mifal Hateruma, run by Rabbi Dadash, has gained a highly respected reputation both in Israel and abroad as a most worthy charitable institution for helping the poor. The organization was started based on the advice of Hacham Ezra Attia z”sl and was actively supported by Hacham Ben-Sion Abba Shaul z”sl, who was personally involved in many details of this great charity. Most of the teenagers who receive assistance come from “complicated” backgrounds: parents in prison or divorced and very poor, severe medical issues in the family, orphans, etc. Quite a few come from extremely under- privileged families and their parents and relatives had no chances whatso- ever to provide them with a decent education. Many were on the brink of falling into despair as a result of financial difficulties – but that’s exactly when Mifal Hateruma steps in. By providing books, religious articles, money for traveling and medical expenses, and most of all, caring and encouragement, the organization gives these young men an opportunity to build a decent life. Mifal Hateruma also has a number of scholarship and stipend programs for outstandingly bright Torah scholars. A scholar of great stature, Rabbi Yashar Dadash shlita is well into his 70’s and clinically blind. He also has serious heart trouble and severe diabetes. In spite of this, he continues to travel actively to raise money on behalf of these young men as he has been doing for over 30 years because of the importance of his mission. Anyone can make a difference in a poor boy’s life by making even a humble donation. Donations are being accepted for kimha d’pis’ha (Passover donations). Sponsors may even provide personal support to a student of their choice and get the satisfaction of knowing that they made a profound difference in the life of a budding Torah scholar. The annual budget to provide for a Mifal Hateruma student is about $600. Much needed donations or commitments to sponsor a child can be mailed to: Mifal HaTeruma, c/o Cohen, 1638 East 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230 or call 718-382-0035. New Gemah for Rabbi Brezak’s Book “Chinuch in Turbulent Times,” the well-known book written by noted educator, writer (author of the monthly Principal’s Principles column in Community Magazine) and lecturer Rabbi Dov Brezak, will be available to borrow from a new gemah. The gemah plans to have multiple copies available, and the book may be borrowed for one month. For more information, please call 718-336-5502. Boys Town Jerusalem Purim Respite for Sderot Residents “This Purim, we expe- rienced near miracles: our children played outside, we were able to sit and enjoy a meal, and we could breathe easily knowing there were no rocket attacks threatening our lives any minute,” said Etti Cohen. “It’s been years since we could do such things in Sderot.” A young mother and resident of the war-torn southern town, Etti and her family were one of nearly 500 Sderot residents who spent the recent 3-day Purim Shabbat weekend as guests of Boys Town Jerusalem. “Boys Town gave us not only a wonderful place to stay and delicious meals, but a full three-day spiritual, educational, fun program that breathed new life into us all,” added Shilo Toubi. “[In Sderot] our lives revolve around the 10 seconds we have to take cover when the ‘Color Red’ alert sounds— we can’t give our children baths, can’t go out for a walk or to play outside with the kids, and can’t ever know if an errand to the bank or supermarket will end abrupt- ly with everyone having to run for their lives. When the Kassam hits, the fragments are hurled for miles around, and the combustion sparks fires that spread quickly,” he explained. “So you can imagine how much of a blessing it was to spend this weekend in such a quiet, loving atmosphere in Jerusalem.” Boys Town Jerusalem PR director Eddie Wolf said, “We invited all 500 guests to a Purim party here Saturday night and to a festive Purim meal on Sunday afternoon. Many of our students volunteered to give up their Purim vacation to stay and help the Sderot guests.” According to Sderot’s Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, “We are living ter- ribly traumatic lives in Sderot. Even here, most of us were jumping when doors slammed or at any other loud noise… We will always be grateful to Boys Town Jerusalem for giving us light and joy on Purim. May those of us from Sderot – and the entire Jewish people throughout the world – be blessed with the gift of peace.” Community Chest Boys Town Students; Purim frolicking helps Sderot children forget the Kassam rocket s The children of Sderot were all kings and queens as they celebrated a safe and festive Purim at Boys Town Jerusalem Boys Town students gave up their Purim vacation to serve as counselors for Sderot children who spent Purim at the school.