[COMMUNICATED]
Looking back, it’s been a long year. A year of tension and uncertainty, of school closures and lockdowns. All over the world, people are grappling with a new reality – life in the midst of Covid-19.
In Eretz Yisrael, the situation is even more dire. Countless families struggle to put food on the table in the best of times. Now, meeting their children’s basic needs is a seemingly insurmountable task.
With Yom Tom looming, these families are at a loss. How will they buy matzah and wine? Food and clothing?
Yet in the alleyways of Zichron Moshe, life continues.
With mesirus nefesh, these humble Jews live in tiny apartments with the most basic of necessities. They’re content with their meager lifestyle as they dedicate their lives to serving Hashem. They are an inspiration to countless people – including the hundreds of American bachurim who flock each year to learn in Eretz Yisrael.
Ten years ago, Kupas Zichron Moshe was established by Rav Aharon Nimerovsky to assist needy families in the Zichron Moshe neighborhood of Yerushalayim with their Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses. The kupah operates under the auspices of Rav Gamliel Rabinovich, Rav Avrohom Ehrlanger, Rav Moshe Elyashiv and Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik.
This year the number of needy families has grown to 600. We need to provide a minimum of $250 for each family so they will be able to put matzah and wine on the table this Pesach.
Rav Gamliel Rabinovich echoes the words of Esther Hamalkah when he rallies Klal Yisrael to help: Eichachah u’chal verai’si, b’avdan moladti – How can I sit back as my nation is lost?
This year, when Jews across the globe ask the age-old question of Mah Nishtanah, let us have a ready answer for aniyei Eretz Yisrael: Yes, we’re here for you.
This year will be different. We haven’t forgotten our brothers in Yerushalayim.
