Community Magazine June 2016

IYAR - SIVAN 5776 JUNE 2016 39 These were children of severely unfortunate backgrounds – children of terror victims, children of financial destitution or neglect, children far too acquainted with loss and suffering. And so, we were uncertain as to what lay behind the doors of this institution. What we saw, however, impacted us beyond description. When I entered, I was greeted by the sight of smiling girls running around. There were counselors, “angels,” caring for them just as a mother would. The facility was gorgeous, pleasant and inviting, featuring a toy room and an arts and crafts room. I paid a visit to the clothing room, where everything was folded and hanging neatly like in a department store. Secondhand clothes are distributed to the girls upon their arrival to the home, since they usually come with little or none of their own. Beyond the clothing room was another large closet enclosed by glass walls. The time the girls spend in that special room is an experience they anticipate for years. The glass room is stocked with a selection of 30 crisp white gowns for brides to choose from in anticipation of their wedding day. Seeing this beautiful home, its warm and loving atmosphere, and its professional and caring staff stirred something inside of me. The rabbi commented that while these girls receive hand-me-downs and have their needs provided for, some have a sponsor who sets aside a sum of money each month for new clothing and other “extras” that make them feel truly special. Each sponsored girl has a designated shopper who puts away the funds or oversees purchases on her behalf. Moreover, the sponsor (whom the children call “mensch”) establishes a relationship with the sponsored child, some even marching them down the aisle to the huppah . By then, I was awed. “You’ve got to be kidding!” I exclaimed. He smiled. “You mean, anyone can sponsor a girl?” “Absolutely.” “Like, I can sponsor a girl right now?!” “Right now.” I was amazed by the concept. Fifteen minutes later we were sponsoring eleven-year-old Batya. Born on March 16, 2004, young Batya has seen much sadness in her life. Her father passed away suddenly following Kiddush one Friday night. Unable to cope with the tragic loss of her husband, Batya’s mother suffered from a nervous breakdown and was unable to care for her children any longer. Batya arrived at Bayit Lepletot and her little sisters were sent to live with adoptive families. (Only recently did Batya’s sisters join her at Bayit Lepletot.) “Can we meet Batya?” I inquired, still reeling from the awesomeness of our act. “Of course!” When Batya came down to meet us, my wife gave her a tight hug and I handed her fifty shekels as pocket money. I knew then that it wouldn’t end there and that we’d be providing her with a need of every human being: love What an experience it was! Mr. Allan Massry I was so inspired by Rabbi Haber’s story, and he absolutely sold me onto the amazing concept of sponsoring an orphan girl at Girls Town. Knowing I would soon be traveling to Israel to attend a nephew’s Bar Mitzvah, I discussed the idea with my wife, Danielle, who was totally supportive and very excited about performing this particular hesed . Rabbi Haber hooked me up with Rabbi Velvel Goldstein, a director of the facility, who gave me a briefing on the orphanage. I asked Rabbi Haber if he wanted me to deliver anything to Batya on my visit. His wife came to my office with a pretty necklace to give to her. Once in Israel, my wife and I visited Girls Town on Wednesday, March 9. A Mrs. Zeidenfeld graciously gave us a tour of the institution. She walked us through rooms of immaculate linens, stuffed animals, and skirts for each girl. The magnum opus and highlight of the tour was the wedding gown room meant for the girls to enjoy when they met their destined ones. I could not hold back my tears in seeing how girls who came in with BAYIT LEPLETOT GIRLS TOWN JERUSALEM: A haven for 67 years Founded in 1949 by Rabbi Naftali Rosenfeld, Bayit Lepletot Girls Town Jerusalem, became home to many young Holocaust survivors who were left with no one and nothing. Rabbi Rosenfeld and his wife, themselves survivors, began to rehabilitate seven little girls in a run-down basement apartment. Slowly the girls healed, grew, married and raised families of their own. Meanwhile, the orphanage expanded to include more and more unfortunate young girls. In 1959, Rabbi Samuel I. Stern was commissioned to spearhead a building campaign, whose success culminated with the original building that remains to this day, albeit with updated renovations. While the initial group of fifty were literally pletot (survivors) of the Holocaust, today, the orphanage is home to hundreds of survivors of their own miniature holocaust. The home provides the children with a happy childhood and the tools needed to build their lives as future wives and mothers. Presently, there are four buildings. The original building, referred to as the Small Building, is home to Girls Town’s younger division, for children ages four through ten. In 1969, more land was purchased to accommodate the growing number of girls residing in the home. Government grants assisted in the construction of the other buildings. With its dormitory and academic center, the Girls Town Jerusalem campus has been a nurturing haven for hundreds of disadvantaged girls. Adapted from www.bl-girlstown.org