My name is Batya N. Kessler, I am 18 years old and a senior at Ohel Chana High School in Los Angeles, CA.
I have been taught my whole life that as a Jewish girl I am the daughter of a King; a G-d; I am a princess. Which just so happens to be the meaning behind my name; Batya: daughter of G-d.
I was just accepted to the Seminary Ohel Chana in Melbourne, Australia. Going to a seminary will be a year of spiritual learning and growth. It would be a year where I will be able to closer my connection to G-d as well as become more independent within myself. Seminary is a time where I would be able to solely focus on becoming a better and more solid Jewish girl.
By me going to seminary, it will give me the chance to live up to my identity as well as my name. Going to seminary is super important for me because it will give me a chance to be able to learn Torah to my fullest before heading out into the big world. By me going to seminary, I feel that I will gain tools with regards to raising a Jewish, frum, and Chassidishe household and life.
My family is unable to fully pay for me to go to seminary due to it being too expensive, but me being a frum Jewish girl, feel that it is my duty to do all that I can to go.
There are 8 children in my family and I am the 6th child. I try my hardest in all I can to help out with my family with regards to whatever needs to get done.
My parents are both super hard working and loving parents that would do anything for their children. They are constantly having to pay for our Jewish schooling, our housing bills, medical bills etc., so them having to now pay for seminary is very stressful.
I feel that because of all they do for me, it is now time for me to go out of my way and step out of my comfort-zone and ask for help from other resources to please donate money to help me go to seminary.
My goal is to reach $18,000 in this GoFundMe Campaign. I know it is a lot to ask for, however this would help my family immensely because the less they have to pay the easier it will be for them.
I ask of you to please give however much you can at GoFundMe.com. Whether it’s a dollar or two dollars, every penny counts! I hope to reach my goal, but if Chas vshalom I don’t, than at least I still know that I have done my part in raising as much as I can to help out my parents.
Thank you! Together, our acts of kindness will bring Moshiach now!
With love,
Batya N. Kessler
To #3 seminary is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. I say this with experience of a mother who sent her daughter to seminary last year.everyone who can should help her. She chooses the seminary she feels is best for her were she feels she will Excell and she has her mashpia, and high school teachers to guide her.we shouldn’t be telling her which seminary to go to. Everyone should do everything they can to help this girl go to seminary. I am very grateful to those who helped my daughter go to seminary and to her seminary she went… Read more »
You’re awesome batya!! Hope you make all the money you need!
what bravery you have! good luck getting in!!
none of you have the right to decide if her cause is a “needy” one or not, if u don’t want to give, shut up. don’t bash someones bravery to ask for help.
and just so you know, not every girl is meant for bias rivkah seminary or montreal for that matter.
dont lie and say u love her. u don’t.
Can you ppl pay for my sem too? I want to go and my parents can’t afford it. Tuition is sky high.
What nerve, and bravery!
Good for you!
That you can stand up for yourself, so not to make it unbearable for others!! Hashem should bless you!
Iyh you will make it far in life.
I wish I had such guts and sense of value at that age.
Moshiach now.
I’m so impressed with your bravery and taking initiative to do what you think I best for you and for reaching out.
Kol Hakavod!
The tuition for seminary is obscene. Someone is getting rich off the back of our children. Seminary became a business! Pressure the seminary to give a break for such girls who need and deserve a discount.
I’m very proud of you. If l’havdil you were accepted to Harvard, no one in their right mind would tell you that community college is cheaper. You worked hard to be accepted, and now you are working harder to get there. Kol hakavod. To you detractors I say: how many times did you buy a letter in a sefer Torah? One letter isn’t good enough for you? The Rebbe told us to fill out homes with seforim, not sifrei Torah! Yet it feels good to get to dance with a brand new Torah, and tell everyone that you paid for… Read more »
Your attitude is one that probably runs across everything you do – that money or lack of it should stop you from doing holy mitzvahs and learning. The Rebbe reminds us that the money is there from Hashem for a holy pursuit – IF you stretch out your hand to i=pursue itt – but it is NOT there if you don’t. Very depressing attitude and many people would not have accomplished seminaries and yeshivas if money would have been the criterion. I suppose it depends if one considers learning (where the heart desires – which is the best thing) –… Read more »
Batya is a fabulous girl, always available to help. She helps run the children’s program in her shul on Shabbos and always has a smile on her face. We wish her the best of luck in achieving her goal and plan to help her out with a contribution. And those of you with negative things to say, please keep them to yourselves… Yasher koach Batya!!
It takes guts and courage to come on line and make request
Opinions are cheap
Action is all important
Give the girl the respect
Donate or not
Don’t damped other’s by negative comments
What if G-D said identical thing to your request
For Bonei Chayei etc.
Amalak was cursed for cooling Israel’s desire to serve G-D don’t follow in their footsteps
#3 doesn’t sound very loving from where I am standing
I wish the girl every Hazlocho
This girl deserves to go there! She is awesome!!
Love, your cohen neighbors 😉
Why don’t you try Montreal seminary. We are a very good group this year and we are having a great time. Mrs Brand the new principal is great and very hands on. Also cheaper than Australia tuition
Halacha clearly explains it is a Mitzvah and let alone a obligation to support someone who is used to something and can’t afford it hat being sayd if a girl is in a situation we’re here freinds will be haveing a great year as well as a spiritual inspiring year even though it’s a luxury it’s a obligation to help them out not god forbid trying to bash you but this is the Halacha with that sayd wishing you a year full of success and an amazing time very inspired to see that you stood up for what ou believe… Read more »
When someone asks for money, you overstep your boundaries by deciding if they have a worthy enough cause. Whether you choose to give or not is the only thing that’s your business.
Besides, it’s wrong to discount her entire campaign in a public forum in such a fashion. Have some sensitivity.
Good for you Batya. You worked hard to get in and you did. Yes there are other seminaries, this is the one she felt was right for her. It’s a shidduch. It shows beautiful kibbud av vaem that you are trying to alleviate the pressure from your parents instead of expecting it. Hatzlacha
I really admire your bravery
It s really beautiful that you want to have an inspirational year and not pressure your parents. There s plenty other opportunities to learn and gain wisdom from G-D s stunning Torah. I wish you good luck but please don’t ask for tzadaka for something that is a luxury and not a must. I love you sincerely and want you to know you can be okay and more then okay without the year of seminary. And leave money for ,sorry, other more important causes.
Bais Rivkah Seminary is much cheaper and very good!
Good for you!