Community Magazine October 2019

YOUR WED ? NT ENOUGH ? AT : 18 . An Office of MetLife YOUR WED ? NT ENOUGH ? AT : 18 . My dear brothers, Rachmanim Bnei Rachmanim, At this time, I am begging and beseeching all off you – “Please, can you give me but 2 minutes of your precious time.” My name is Hanania Rafael. I am 42 years old, and a resident of Eretz Yisroel. My story goes back a few years, to when my dear mother was first diagnosed with dementia. She was very young at the time, and our family was bewildered how we would care for her needs. At the time, all my siblings were already married, with the exception of myself. I undertook to be her caregiver, devoting many hours of my day to her care. At the same time, I found myself pursuing shidduchim, as I eagerly wanted to start a family of my own. After several years of this difficult existence, I was engaged to be married. However, a few days later, my Kallah issued an ultimatum – I would need to choose between her and caring for my mother. With no one else available to provide the level of care that I was providing, I unfortunately had to walk away from the shidduch. Understandably, this was a very difficult period of my life, yet I resumed my caregiving with acceptance and love. I took care of my mother for seven years; 7 years in which she did not talk or walk, as she was paralyzed and was con- fined to a bed or wheelchair. Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 63, leaving behind 7 sons and 24 grandchil- dren. With great Siyata Dishmaya, I recently found my zivug hagun, and am scheduled to be married after the Chagim. My joy knows no bounds, though it is marred by the fact that my mother will not be at my wedding. My bride is a very special young lady. However, we both come from families that are extremely poor. We don’t have even a few extra shekel to begin setting up our home together. We are looking to set up a Bayit Neeman B’Yisrael, but can’t do it alone. Please, can I ask of you to help us as we begin our lives together? And may these words that are penned directly from my heart, enter yours and inspire you to share in this tremendous z’chut. Best wishes for a K’tiva V’chatima Tova, a year in which Hashem should inscribe you with the Tzadikkim, Amen! You can send your help to: 1274 49th Street Suite 544 | Brooklyn, NY 11219 Memo: Hanania Raphael Tax id : ‎ ‏ Yeshiva Ateret Yisrael 112651215 If anyone wants more details/send names to pray for in Israel to: hananiaraphael@gmail.com 1 WEDDING, 2 ORPHANS! Rabbi Meshulam David Halevy Soloveitchik, Roshe of the Brisk Yeshiva Rabbi David Basri Rosh Yeshivat Hashalom