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For most, the Jewish experience is rooted in family, support, and community. For many converts, however, choosing to go in the way of Torah is choosing a life of isolation. Many gerim face disapproval and even abandonment from their non-Jewish families. They then enter into the Torah-observant community, where they are embraced by some, and shunned by others. Bravely, defiantly, they choose to follow their dreams. One such person is Rvika Zitoni, a 26-year-old currently living in Jerusalem.

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We cried. We davened. We moved on.
But Rabbi Bauman’s family still needs our help.
The tragic disappearance and passing of Rabbi Reuven Bauman zt”l  gripped us all.
This young, vibrant and loving husband, father, rebbi and friend made the ultimate sacrifice. At the tender age of 35, Rabbi Bauman gave his life in order to save the lives of his talmidim.

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Family and friends poured in to join the Yankovitch family for the second time this summer, after the birth of their 10th child, a healthy baby girl. The last time they congregated, however, was following a tragedy: 2 months ago, Avi Yankovitch, then father of 9 and now father of 10 children, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. The whirlwind of sudden death and now new life has sent the family into a state of chaos.
In addition to being a beloved father & husband, Avi owned a catering business and was a Hatzolah volunteer. His warm smile was contagious, and his love for singing brought joy to those around him. Avi’s death was a major shock, as he was just 36 years old.

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Brachi Drutman may have lost her mom, her sight, and her hearing – but that won’t stop her from being in control of her own destiny. Enrolled in a program to become an accountant, the 20-year-old Bnei Brak native is currently studying to establish her career. Because she is legally blind & deaf, the classwork and tests admittedly take more effort for her than for other students. That has not deterred her, however, from working toward her degree.

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A Ramat Shlomo family made the news today, after father of 15 Asher Lichtenstein reportedly suffered a stroke as a result of immense financial pressure. The stroke, and its consequent brain damage, has opened a conversation regarding the health risks of fiscal stress, and the effect that disability has on family dynamics.

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Shlomo Goelman of Bnei Brak was on the street outside of his yeshiva when he saw something unusual: a young man seemingly on the verge of tears. Curious, he approached him, to ask if everything was okay. The young man, hesitant, introduced himself. After a brief conversation, he began to share his painful story:

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“Just a few weeks before her wedding day, 21-year-old Shoshi* got a call from a relative. In the middle of trying on a bridal gown, the young bride quickly asked if her aunt if she could call her back at a better time.
“No Shoshi,” said the voice on the other side of the phone. “I’m so sorry to tell you this. But something terrible has happened.”

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Weeks have passed since the tragic fires which destroyed the Israeli town of Moshav Mevo Modi’im. Many of the survivors, through family connections, or successful GoFundMe-style campaigns, have been able to successfully relocate their families. Some, however, have not been so fortunate.

One such family is the Sorias clan, a young mother and father and their 6 children, who are still living in the temporary school dormitories. The fire was a particularly harsh blow to their extended family, who had lived on the moshav for three generations.

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Smoke filled the sky of Israel on May 23 as fires raged across the country, flames spreading easily in the hot and dry weather.  Despite intense firefighting efforts in the Ben Shemen Forest, Moshav Mevo Modi’im was destroyed. 70 families were evacuated and, as a temporary measure, housed in empty yeshiva dormitories.

Today, more than a month later, there is no permanent situation in sight. Avi and Sima Sorias, whose parents are among the founding members of the Moshav, are among the displaced families. They are currently housed in an empty dormitory in Kibbutz Chafetz Chaim, but as a large family with 6 children the situation is untenable for the Sorias family.