No matter what is happening, OUR CHILDREN must be our first priority. As we have seen time and again, Migdal Ohr's alumni are a shield of resilience that YOU have created in Israeli society. Our founder, Rabbi Grossman, has prepared them to lead in times like these and they are rising to the challenge by the thousands!
Dear Friends,
My name is Shai. I was one of the founding students of the Zoharim Youth Village. Since the age of 16, Rabbi Grossman has been like a father to me.
After Zoharim, I became a commander in an elite IDF unit. Fast-forward to October 7th, my unit was called to the border with Gaza and I was on the first flight to Israel. Our mission was to identify bodies in Kibbutz Be’eri and to rule out the possibility that people had been taken hostage. I won’t go into details, but it was horrific.
So far, I've raised significant funds to buy gear for soldiers, help evacuated families, and treat the wounded. We threw huge BBQs to boost morale for 5,000+ soldiers and even planned a wedding for a soldier in just a few hours!
In these difficult times, and throughout my life, the Rav has been my guide. When I first met Rabbi Grossman, I had lost my way and had very little faith in myself. I left yeshiva and was surrounded by crime and drugs. That wasn't me, but I had no idea how to find my way back.
I came to Zoharim when it was still a dream. “There’s nothing here!” I said. “So,” the Rav replied, “You and your friends will be the ones to build it. If G-d sent you now, then it must be your purpose.”
That’s Rabbi Grossman’s attitude. If it doesn’t exist, build it. If there’s no leader, lead.
The Rav encouraged me to marry my girlfriend and officiated our wedding. I named my first son Or and my fourth son David after him.
If there’s one thing we alumni have in common, it's our love for the Rav and our drive to reveal the good that he sees in us.
Right now, we’re raising money for Migdal Ohr to care for 10,000 orphaned and underprivileged kids.
As one of those kids, I have to say, there is no better cause.
Every child who finds their way to Migdal Ohr discovers a world of possibility. It’s a place where everyone is rooting for him or her.
Please join me in giving. Your faith made all the difference to me and it is what Israel needs for a better future.
Shai Knopfer, Zoharim Alumnus
PS There has been so much generous giving to Migdal Ohr's Magen Israel Relief Effort that we can't forget our greatest contribution to society. Let's show the children that THEY are our #1 priority.
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