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Leah Pachko was just eighteen years old when she began to question the world around her. Her name at the time, however, was not ‘Leah.’ She was growing up as a non-Jew in Brazil, and despite her family’s disapproval, she began to investigate Torah Judaism.
Before long she was completely fascinated with her learning, and dreamed of travelling to Jerusalem. Unable to afford the trip but unwilling to compromise on her goals, she and her sister sold everything they had and used the money to buy two tickets to Israel.

For more information, visit http://www.connectiontogreatness.org/
Lo Yomushu Campaign Drums Up Support for Kiryas Melech
Effort Seeks to Save Illustrious Yeshiva
It’s been hard to miss.
Wherever you live, you’ve probably seen them.
We’re talking about signs and other forms of publicity regarding the mammoth and wide-ranging global “Connecting to Greatness – Lo Yomushu” campaign for Yeshiva Kiryas Melechof Bnei Brak, the yeshiva led by Rav Shlomo Kanievsky.

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The religious community of Tiveria was struck a devastating blow this month after the passing of beloved father of 5 Rabbi Dovid Sher a”h.
Rabbi Sher was known in the community as a loving father and hardworking mover, married to neighborhood ganenet “Morah” Tali. For the past few years, however, the family lived a secret life of difficulty. Diagnosed with a rare form of kidney disease, Rabbi Sher suffered from excruciating pain, and eventually became completely bedridden. He was forced to leave his career, and Tali did as well, in order to oversee his treatments and other medical needs. Before long, they were in the negative.

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Gadol BaTorah Rav Shimon Galai is the latest of the gedolim to add his name to the monthly Kupat Ha’Ir orphan campaign. This month’s campaign page includes a touching letter which, while brief, speaks volumes:

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UPDATE, Monday June 10th, 2:45 pm IST:
An internationally followed real-life drama met its peak this weekend, after donors around the world united to free 50-year-old Avraham Gil of Bnei Brak from a Polish prison.
Gil has been unjustly held in Polish prison for three years without trial after his identity was allegedly stolen and used for fraud. Rav Chaim Kanievsky was involved last year in efforts to secure Gil a trial, which only came into fruition this month.
During his absence, Avrahaml’s wife Sigalit was left to raise their four children alone.

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The world watched on in horror this week as Polish officials determined the fate of 50-year-old Gavriel Lavi of Bnei Brak.

Lavi has been unjustly held in Polish prison for three years without trial after his identity was allegedly stolen and used for fraud. Rav Chaim Kanievsky was involved last year in efforts to secure Lavi a trial, which only came into fruition this month.

During his absence, Gavriel’s wife Sigalit was left to raise their four children alone.

The verdict of the long-awaited trial was that Lavi would be released, on the condition that a steep $150,000 fine be paid by Monday, June 10th. If the fine is not paid, the father of 4 will remain in prison indefinitely.

A Bnei Brak man was granted trial by the Polish government this week, after waiting in prison for three years to have his case reviewed.
Avraham Gali, 50, allegedly had his identity stolen by an acquaintance in Poland, who proceeded to use his bank account information to engage in fraud. Gali was arrested and imprisoned. Wife Sigalit and his four children “assumed he would be returning soon,” as they were confident in his innocence.
The man’s case was put on the back burner for an excruciating three years.

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