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Aleph’s work brings hope and light to thousands of families who have a loved one in prison. Please partner with Aleph during the next 36 hours to bring hope, light and joy, to so many who often feel so alone. Your support will provide continued resources for Aleph’s national staff to respond to thousands of crisis calls, emails and letters from people headed for or in prison anywhere in the world as well as their families. Additionally, it helps Aleph provide Jewish chaplaincy for men and women in the Armed Forces, and life-saving work to help people who are addicted or mentally ill to get off the streets, out of prison, and into recovery.
Join the movement and #GiveHope: Charidy.com/aleph
Below are several quotes that capture the incredible and undiluted first-hand experiences of those who truly have no where else to turn. The Aleph Institute was founded by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 5741/1981 and have been serving the needs of these yidden ever since.
Reflections from those behind bars:
“Aleph gave me hope.” The hope to realize that my family deserves a second chance. The hope to realize that every human being makes mistakes at one point in their lives. Yet mistakes do not define us. Making a mistake does not mean we are not worthy.
“I’ve seen many broken men and broken families. You give us hope, a priceless commodity in any situation.”
“Your love is a reminder to us all to be brave when life is not worth living…”
“It’s been three years since my dad went away… Thank you for helping me go to camp. I had an amazing time with my friends. They are like my brothers… It makes no difference to them that my dad is in jail.”
From a child with a parent in prison who is often judged by his school friends due to the fact that his father is in prison. At summer camp, he’s gets to feel like he’s just another kid. Aleph sent 97 children with a parent in prison to Jewish summer camps this summer.
“We just had the yearly visit from the yeshiva students… it is very heartwarming to feel considered and valued when everything we know in prison attempts to convince us of the opposite. Your lovingkindness shines like the sun in this bleak place… toda raboh”
Rabbinical student volunteers traveled through 39 different states this summer to visit over 3500 people behind bars in more than 450 prisons throughout the USA.
“It has been very awkward for me to reach out and ask for this type of assistance. Even though I didn’t do anything wrong I carry this shame and embarrassment. I feel so fortunate that I found Aleph one sleepless night. It is amazing that this resource exists. The warmth, support and guidance is greatly appreciated and has given me light on the darkest of days. I hope that when this nightmare is behind me that I can pay it forward in some way. Aleph is a blessing to all those in these awful circumstances and truly stands by their quote, No one alone or forgotten.” – From a wife who husband is in prison.
Aleph provides crucial support to over 1200 families who have a loved one in prison, including eviction prevention, camps, Bar Mitzvah, transportation for prison visits, support groups..
“Thank you. Your kind words and care have lifted my spirits. You know that in a place like this and watching time drift by it weighs heavily on you, so alone. You inspire me to be a better man. G-d Bless you.”
“I just got the money. Thank you so much. You do not know how nervous I was because I was unable to email & to call my Mom. I used my last $ today on the phone.”
Aleph’s commissary program provided over 900 stipends to men and women in prison throughout the USA, amounting to more than 75,000 over the past 12 months.
“I like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for my son Matthew in the last 8 months. Thank you for the hard work of your team, for the letter of recommendation to the court today, for coming to court, for trusting him, for earning his trust. Thank you for feeling his heart with hope. You cannot imagine how grateful I feel every day and night for knowing you. This was a true miracle. You will always in my prayers.”
From a mother of an only child who was sent to Chabad Treatment Center in lieu of many years in prison. B”H he’s now clean and working.
Please watch these videos to see an inside look into the work Aleph does around the world:
Give Hope with The Aleph Institute from The Aleph Institute on Vimeo.
Give Hope! from The Aleph Institute on Vimeo.
Join the movement and #GiveHope: Charidy.com/aleph
