Why are so many of our youth at risk? What does a struggling adolescent need? How can one support their at-risk child?
This generation faces unprecedented challenges. Hundreds of teens are struggling, and the “system” isn’t working for them. But some have dedicated their lives to helping our teens.
R’ Yoskeh Levin, veteran mashpia and educator for over four decades, sat down for a candid talk with Zev Brenner on Talkline to tackle these pressing issues. Levi Jacobson and Eli Saul, both administrators of R’ Yoskeh’s groundbreaking program, Five Alive, joined R’ Yoskeh on the show.
R’ Yoskeh Levin has inspired thousands of teens worldwide in his 40 years of helping Jewish youth at risk. For 15 years, he served as the mashpia for JETS Yeshiva. Today, many of these once struggling teens are now successful adults, themselves spiritual mentors to others.
This holy work began for R’ Yoskeh in Israel when worried parents would contact him about their children. R’ Yoskeh would spend time with these teens on exciting trips, where they would learn while having fun together. The teens would open up, and these conversations would change their life.
Times have changed, and the issues facing our youth today are so much bigger than in the past. Drug and other addictions and mental health struggles have reached crisis proportions.
Five Alive
Today, R’ Yoskeh has Zoom support groups with teens from all over the world participating. There are regular meetups and trips all over the world.
A crucial component of Five Alive is learning the art of communication. When there is learning, it’s not one person teaching; everyone is learning together. Everyone has the space to share, and everyone takes turns listening. This creates a circle of trust and unity where teens can sit and talk about G-d. The whole idea of Five Alive is to show how G-d is real.
Eli Saul explained to Zev Brenner that today’s generation doesn’t want fluff. In the past, there was an emphasis on teaching information and knowledge. But today’s youth are sensitive. They want to know that what you are teaching is part of your life. They need truth and can’t handle falseness. If an educator is not doing the work and internalizing what they are teaching, it’s ineffective for today’s generation. They need to know that it’s genuine.
This is the holy work of Five Alive. For four decades, R’ Yoskeh Levin has dedicated his life to thousands of youth around the globe.
Partner With Five Alive
On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, you will have a chance to partner with R’ Yoskeh in this vital mission. Five Alive will be running a fundraising campaign led by Zalmen Hertz. This live fundraising event will feature inspiring speakers and exciting entertainment. The campaign aims to raise $500,000 to save more of our drowning teens. For R’ Yoskeh, this is just the beginning. Because for him, every kid deserves a chance and the opportunity to connect with someone who really believes in them.
Levi Jacobson shared a powerful insight. “I bumped into someone who shared that decades ago, R’ Yoskeh had helped him through a rough patch in his life. Years later, this man found out that his brother had been funding this help. I asked him how he felt, knowing his brother had paid for this many years ago. The man told me he felt amazing. I couldn’t believe that someone cared so much about me that they would pay to get me help.”
This campaign is a way to show you care for struggling teens. It’s a chance to partner with Five Alive and make a difference to so many. To reach R’ Yoskeh Levin and find out how he can help you or someone you know, call (646) 280-9645.
Watch full interview:
Reb yoskeh is amazing I hope they reach their goal and more 🙏 ❤
Amazing!