Q: When is chesed “smart”?
A: When financial support
is accompanied by education, training, and guidance that helps families achieve
financial independence.
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* *
The Israeli
organization Lema’an Achai, under the direction
of former Baltimorean Rabbi Avrohom Leventhal, strives to break the
cycle of poverty, one family at a time, using “smart chesed.” Rabbi Leventhal, who volunteered with
Ahavas Yisrael when he lived in Baltimore, says that this approach to chesed is, in the long run, more respectful and effective than simply handing people a check.
Here are a few of
the thousands of cases Lema’n Achai has been involved with:
* * *
Moshe, 31, and his
wife Sara live in Ramat Beit Shemesh with their three children. Both have
overcome challenges. Moshe’s non-religious parents divorced when he was just three
years old, yet at age 16 he made the decision to change his trajectory and
dedicated himself to learning Torah. Over the next six years, he immersed
himself in Torah learning and got married at the age of 22. Now a kollel
student, Moshe is working towards completing his final rabbinical exam while
also supplementing his income by tutoring. More strikingly, Moshe has completed
his first year of studies towards becoming an attorney.
Sara’s journey is
no less remarkable. Raised by a single mother with four brothers, she faced
physical abuse from her stepfather at the age of 13, leading her down a
tumultuous path that involved various boarding schools and institutions.
Despite these challenges, Sara persevered, completing the Hila program of the
Israeli Ministry of Education. She now runs her own successful cosmetology business,
providing for her family while continuing to develop her skills.
Despite their
success in building a life of faith, education, and entrepreneurship, Moshe and
Sara were not able to make ends meet. Lema’an Achai has provided invaluable
assistance in the form of financial aid for Moshe’s continued legal education
and professional development and equipment for Sara’s business, as well as
assistance with living expenses and support around the chagim, Lema’an
Achai’s efforts have helped the family increase their income by 30% over the
past six months, with the promise of further growth in the coming months.
* * *
Yitzchak and Miriam,
who live in Beit Shemesh, have demonstrated remarkable resilience and
determination in trying to build a secure future for their family. Married for
just three-and-a-half years, this 25-year-old couple, with three small
children, has faced the challenges of supporting a household.
Despite their
limited means, Yitzchak and Miriam
remain steadfast in emunah. Yitzchak
spends his mornings learning and his afternoons working as a sofer. Miriam,
a trained science teacher, has been pursuing her senior teacher qualification
and a bachelor’s degree, all while working as a classroom assistant and, more
recently, as a full-time science teacher.
With the close
support of their dedicated social worker, Lema’an Achai has provided financial aid for Miriam’s education,
general living expenses, and necessary purchases. With the guidance of a financial advisor, Yitzchak and Miriam have balanced
their budget and increased their income by around 25%.
Yitzchak and
Miriam maintain a pleasant and upbeat demeanor, despite the stress, driven by
their desire to secure a brighter future for their children. Their willingness
to take on additional responsibilities, such as Yitzchak’s Sofer Sta”m course, further demonstrates their commitment to
personal growth and financial stability.
As they continue
their journey to independence, the stories of Moshe and Sara and Yitzchak and Miriam show how couples –
with a little support, guidance, and direction – can make huge leaps forward
towards independence with the help of Lema’an Achai.
* * *
Although it started in Ramat Beit Shemesh A, Lema’an Achai now services
families throughout Israel – whether they are chareidi, traditional, or secular.
A recent example is the story of the religious
community of Shlomi in southern Israel.
Shlomi was one of
the first yishuvim to be evacuated on
October 7. While not attacked directly, it did lose several members, who were
killed while defending other communities. The 70-plus families were first
evacuated to Kfar Etzion in the Gush. Lema’an Achai was contacted through Baltimore’s
Rav Shmuel Silber and Baltimorean Meir Raskas to inquire what assistance could
be provided for these evacuees, who left with nothing more than the shirts on
their backs. Lema’an Achai provided an emergency grant of 2,000 NIS per family
to buy essentials, including warmer clothing. Additionally, through the efforts
of Meir Raskas and other Baltimore natives, each family received a tablet to
enable computer access.
When one of the
community leaders approached Rabbi Leventhal to thank him for their assistance,
the person realized that this was the very same Lema’an Achai that had assisted
his family after the expulsion from Gush Katif in 2005. At that time, Lema’an
Achai helped many of the expelled families to begin their lives anew. The
Shlomi resident was quite emotional knowing that, once again, Lema'an Achai was
there in a time of crisis.
* * *
Lema’an Achai is now building a new International Chesed Center, which
will house its more than 40 programs and projects, with an annual budget of
three-and-a-half million dollars. During his recent visit to Baltimore, Rabbi
Leventhal expressed his gratitude for the Baltimore community’s
participation in the organization’s work.
Lema’an Achai is
an approach rooted in respect, dignity, and the Jewish value of
self-sufficiency: a hand up rather than handouts – tzedaka in its highest form.
