Last week, Keren Yeshua received calls from three families seeking help for four children who had failed out of our Yeshiva day school system. As each family grapples with unique and heart-wrenching challenges, the only way forward is to create highly individualized plans that address each student’s and their family’s specific needs.
The first call came from “Rivka’s*” mother, seeking a Yeshiva high school to embrace her out-of-the-box daughter, “a vibrant soul, ” struggling to thrive in traditional educational settings. Recognizing this child’s unique needs, Keren Yeshua connected Rivka’s mother with one of its advisory board members, a social worker specializing in cases like this. Together, Rivka’s mother and the social worker are exploring possibilities, searching for a school that will value Rivka’s individuality and help her flourish. This story is still unfolding, but we expect her to be enrolled in a school that fits her needs soon.
The second call came from a mother of six. Two of her children, Shmuly and Dovi, are bright boys who struggle with learning and emotional challenges. Over a year ago, the family was told that the boys were banned from returning to school until they undergo evaluations, a lengthy process that the family thought they couldn’t afford—leaving mom no choice but to quit her job to look after her boys, distraught and overwhelmed.
Keren Yeshua contacted an online school with whom they’ve previously worked and negotiated a discounted tuition package that, with assistance from Keren Yeshua, is manageable for the family. Shmuly and Dovi are now enrolled and enjoying the classes, to the relief of their grateful mom. We continue working with the boy’s mom and their new school to ensure their continued success.
Sadly, the mother’s remaining four children, still within the Yeshiva system, periodically ask her, “Mom, are we going to get kicked out too?” The pain in her voice as she relayed their fear was palpable and served as a stark motivator to continue working toward a solution for these precious souls.
Yoni, a kind and soft-spoken father, feels like his life is unraveling. He’s underemployed, far from family, enmeshed in a brutal divorce, and struggling financially. At the same time, the Yeshiva day school his 13-year-old son Adir attends threatens expulsion if the balance of what he owes is not paid by next week.
Adir’s mother has drifted away from Yiddishkeit, and Yoni sees his son beginning to do the same. He finds himself at a crossroads: He knows that if Adir transfers to public school, the chances of him remaining engaged and frum will dwindle, but he also feels powerless to meet the Yeshiva’s financial demands.
Though Yoni is highly skilled and confident he will eventually regain his footing; he wonders if Adir will still be committed to Yiddishkeit by then. Will he want to return to the Yeshiva system after facing the humiliation of expulsion just months before his 8th-grade graduation?
Keren Yeshua is committed to answering Yoni’s agonizing questions with a resounding YES, but achieving that outcome requires the support of a caring community. These stories represent the profound gaps Keren Yeshua works tirelessly to fill—providing guidance, advocacy, financial assistance, and hope to families overwhelmed by the challenges of keeping their children in the Yeshiva day school system. Some solutions come quickly; others take time. Each is a testament to the resilience of families striving to secure a brighter future for their children.
If this mission resonates with you, please contact Rabbi Chaim Ber Kaminker at [email protected] or donate online at www.kerenyeshua.org/donate.
*All names have been changed to protect identities.
We strive to provide individualized care for every family and every student professionally, compassionately, and discreetly.
