One Jerusalem family has recently gone public with the story of how their lives were irrevocably changed over the course of just a few days. The first change was a simcha: Mother Yocheved gave birth to triplets, a challenge & a blessing. Just days later, however, the 9 Shlessinger children attended their mother’s funeral. Yocheved passed away, leaving behind a shocked widower & three babies who would never have the opportunity to know her.  Since her passing, husband Rabbi Dovid Shlessinger has bravely raised a large family without her.

A message to you from Shimon Dushinsky, father of 8 and recent widower: “My wife Rivka was my hero.  She raised our 8 children with such grace and strength, and for the last 6 months she battled stomach cancer. Two weeks ago, she passed away. Devastated is not even the word. Now I am at a loss as to how to cover all of my expenses with only my income. I have to pay 1500 shekel a month  for my daughter Sara’s studies, 800 shekel a month for my son’s yeshiva, 350 shekel a month for my daughter Yehudis’s school, in addition to $40,000 of debts from cancer treatments and other life events.  I turn to you, a man humbled and mourning, to ask you to please help me to take care of my family, and cover our basic expenses, while we recover from this life-changing loss.

“I was in high school when my parents lost their lives in a car crash. They had a family full of kids at home, and we lost them forever, just because of one person texting while driving. In the few years that have passed since we lost them, my siblings and I have really struggled. Losing parents turns a home completely upside down, and changes everyone in it forever. Now that I’m a kallah, I feel their absence more than ever – I go alone to the different appointments. Everything comes out of my pocket from what I’ve saved up from my job. And ultimately, I’ll walk to my chuppah without them.” – Rachel*, 22  Rav Elimelech Biderman shlit”a has once again taken responsibility for a group of suffering young people.

“Trauma” comes in many forms. For some, it is a small moment which sticks with us. For others, it is years in a dysfunctional household which sends a ripple effect through our lives and our childrens’ lives, for what can feel like forever. When Chedva Vishinsky got married 8 years ago, she was like any bride: Excited and hopeful for the future. Unfortunately, however, unforeseen circumstances sent her and her children into chaos. She now lives alone with her two kids, Ayala (8) and Yosef Shalom (7). She supports and raises them alone.  The hours Chedva can work are limited, as she is the only parent available to watch them. She has no family in the country. Her children require intensive therapy, but such luxuries are not a possibility.

Some say that one of the most painful parts of a loved one battling cancer is the suspense. “How long will the treatments take? Will they be effective? Will the person I love be here with me in a year? A month? A week?” For the Kahana family of Bnei Brak, however, there was no suspense. Though their mother Rivka fought cancer for 4 long years, she did not tell any of them she was sick. They knew her only as ‘weak.’ In what seems impossibly heroic, Rivka continued to raise her 12 children without any mention of her own cancer or pain for four years. She worked as a teacher in a high school for girls, and she even went in to work on the day she died. Though she spared her children the pain of knowing her diagnosis, her passing was a monumental shock.

Devastating photos emerged this week, as the Stern children said goodbye to their mother, Mrs. Yehudis Stern. Yehudis was a beloved teacher, and a mother of 15.  Her battle with cancer was excruciatingly slow. In her final days, Yehudis was bedridden and her family devoted their time to tending to her needs.  Last week, against all odds, Mrs. Stern was brought to her son’s chuppah. She was unable to stand, but was determined to attend the ceremony. Her family says that she had one dying wish: That her household and children should be taken care of. Yehudis’s widower Rabbi Stern is now struggling to fulfill her final wishes, as he is now solely responsible for the financial and emotional welfare of a large family, while processing immense grief himself.

We are pained to announce the passing of Mrs. Ayala Gutman, mother of 5. Readers around the world followed Gutman family’s story earlier this year, when they rallied together to make a wedding despite Ayala’s illness. Mrs. Gutman fought cancer for over ten years, and was confined to a wheelchair. Recently she began to lose her memories as well, and her condition was diagnosed as terminal. The family was able to happily marry off one son in recent months, a simcha which will no doubt be remembered as their final reunion & celebration before their mother’s untimely passing. Mrs. Gutman passed away last week, leaving behind a devastated widower & 5 children.

In the center of the world sits one city, the foundation of the earth. In the center of that city sits one institution, developing, educating, training, and BUILDING LEADERS WHO CARE. Eighteen years ago, the Rosh HaKollel, Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovitz שליט”אrecognized that the Yeshiva world is an army filled with talent. His vision was clear. Tap into this potential, provide real bnei Torah with the tools to become leaders, and you can change the world. The Jerusalem Kollel was born. To this day, The Jerusalem Kollel has been building leaders of the highest caliber, dedicated to leading, teaching and strengthening Klal Yisrael. The Kollel offers its talmidim an intensive three-year s’micha program, with relevant training in many years of communal leadership.

This Monday will be the yahrzeit of beloved Gadol & Torah giant, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l.  Shockwaves were sent through the global Jewish community when Rav Elyashiv passed away 8 years ago. To this day, many flock to his gravesite to pay their respects.  Rav Elyashiv’s son in law, the current Gadol HaDor Rav Chaim Kanievsky, is no exception. Rav Kanievsky will continue his yearly tradition of visiting Rav Elyashiv’s grave on the day of his yahrzeit. As usual, the Rav will be followed by a group of spectators, there to guard his safety as well as those who are simply curious to get a glimpse. Rav Kanievsky being seen outdoors is a rarity, especially during the pandemic.

The Breslev community lost a tremendous light last week, with the passing of prominent Rav and father of 10 children Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Karmel. Karmel collapsed in his home while battling COVID, and Hatzolah were unable to resuscitate him. The rabbi gave a remarkable 18 shiurei Torah each week to his beloved talmidim, and authored seforim as well. He was also well known for having the honor of leading prayers in Uman on Rosh Hashana, as the baal tefilah on the Yom HaDin for chassidim from all over the world.