Community Magazine Februafy 2009

F or most of us, life continues more or less as usual despite the finan- cial upheavals the world is currently witnessing. But for many boys and young men from disadvantaged households in Israel, this is hardly the case. We are talking of young men whose fami- lies can barely afford basic necessities. Often these boys come from a broken home, are orphans, or endure other difficulties in their family life. Yet in spite of these difficulties, instead of turning to the streets like other boys in similar circumstances, a number of these young men aspire for greater heights of Torah and spiritual achievement, and are prepared to make additional sacrifices to this end. Instead of seeking mundane or even criminal pursuits like some of their counterparts, they devote the majority of their time to the service of Hashem, despite the difficult financial burden this entails. In the years following Israel’s War of Independence, many of Jerusalem’s Jews suf- fered from poverty and hunger. Hacham Ezra Attia, z.t.l., Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, took precious time away from his Torah learning to establish a charity fund together with his esteemed student, Rabbi Yashar Dadash she- lita, on behalf of poverty-stricken yeshiva stu- dents. This is how Mifal Hatruma was born. Innumerable hours of hard work, together with the help of Hashem and a team of dedicated volunteers, have resulted in many successful projects that have provided direly needed aid to students and their families. Mifal Hatruma has placed thousands of desti- tute boys in yeshiva and in trade schools, and works with hundreds more preparing them for a healthy and productive life as a Torah obser- vant Jew. The organization covers the tuition and dormitory costs required for enrollment in yeshiva, and, when the needy students are ready to get married, Mifal Hatruma contin- ues its support by covering many of the wed- ding expenses. Now, after almost 35 years of service, the situation for many yeshiva students has deteriorated to levels never seen before. And perhaps surprisingly to Americans, the vast majority of students throughout Israel receiv- ing financial and emotional support from the programs of Mifal Hatruma are of Iraqi, Syrian, Moroccan, Yemenite and Persian decent – members of our extended families. Mifal Hatruma focuses its efforts on help- ing those whose struggles would otherwise go unnoticed and unaddressed by Israeli society. Its primary goal is to provide assistance with- out undermining the recipients’ dignity and pride. Thus, for example, it runs a clothing center where needy families can purchase respectable clothes at token prices, so they can acquire clothing that does not have “poverty” written on the label. Each year before Succot and Pesah, Rabbi Dadash, executive director of Mifal Hatruma, travels throughout Israel with his son, Haim, to deliver holiday packages to over four hundred disadvantaged students. One Rosh Yeshiva reported to Rabbi Dadash about the profound impact these packages have: “The boys feel uplifted when they see how others care for their well being. And as their spirits rise, their learn- ing intensifies with an added vigor.” Mifal Hatruma has expanded its services to include a gemah (free loan fund) that offers yeshiva rabbis and students interest-free loans to help cover basic necessities. Funds have also been raised for portable electric heaters during the cold winter months. Other Mifal Hatruma programs include a medi- cal expenses fund and family guidance and assistance programs. All financial matters are under the direct supervision of prominent Torah authorities to ensure they are properly handled in accor- dance with halacha. Unfortunately, for every boy reached by Mifal Hatruma, there are hundreds still wait- ing for help. With an annual budget in the hundreds of thousands of dollars which is not covered by the government, the organi- zation is critically dependant on the generous support and help of the Brooklyn Sephardic community. The organization is warmly endorsed by a number of leading Torah scholars, including Maran Hacham Ovadia Yosef, shelita, and Hacham Mordechai Eliyahu, shelita among many others. On February 17, 2009, Mifal Hatruma will be holding its annual bake sale and Mini Chinese Auction at the home of Harry and Jamie Ashkenazi at 1436 East 8th Street, to raise funds for its activities. Speakers at these events over the last 12 years have included Rabbi Yizhak Dwek, Mrs. Naomi Sutton and Rabbi Raymond Beyda. Let us join hands in our efforts to bring hope and joy to our brethren in distress, and generously support our counterparts in Israel who sacrifice the comforts of wealth we enjoy, and choose instead to bask in the radiance of Torah learning. Send donations and yartzeit and kaddish requests to: Mifal Hatruma c/o S.Cohen, 1638 East 7th Street, Brooklyn NY, 11230, or to Mifal Hatruma c/o Rabbi Dadash POB 57292, 16 Abramsky Street, Jerusalem Israel, 91571. Mifal Hatruma– Supporting Israel’s Neediest Youth