The
method used I’m enclosing a contribution for the poor of Kupat Ha’ir in order to merit a kesivah vachasimah tovah.
by Klal Yisroel to mer it
אני מצרף תרומה קופת העיר לעניי ק לזכות לכתיבה וחתימה טובה
a bless ed new ye ar
The Gedolei Hador’s
Method to Me Kesiva V
Maran Hagaon Harav Aharon Yehudah Leib Steinman, shlit”a, writing a kvittel for a kesiva vachasimah tovah
Dear Kupat Ha’ir Managementt Here it is a few days before re Rosh Hashanah and everyone iss seeking reatness zechus and tzedakah, the greatness own. It is a of whose merit is well known. o great mitzvah and a greatt zechus to merit a kesivah vachasimahh tovah.
Therefore, I, too, o, join join in this mitzvah. mitz tzvah h.
Yom Hadin: How Do We Prepare? Already at the beginning of Tamuz, Yidden feel that the time for teshuvah is drawing close. In Av, everyone is already trembling in the face of the approach of Elul. When Elul rolls around, we raise our eyes heavenward and a strong sense of yiras Shamayim pervades our hearts. Is it true that there used to be fewer tzaros? Are the terrible tragedies of recent years the lot of today’s generation only? No one can say for sure, but it’s obvious that the situation is far from simple. Middas hadin is in effect, Rachmana litzlan. What can we do to protect ourselves? The Gedolei Hador, the leaders of our people, are on the receiving end of all of our questions and appeals. It is they who hear our apprehensions, our desire to do good, our longing to do Hashem’s will. “Tzedakah averts an evil decree,” Maranan Verabanan, shlit”a, tell us. Astoundingly enough, they are referring to themselves. “Teshuva, tefillah and tzedakah are our fi three keys. It is in these areas as that we must strengthen ourselves!”
Merit a
Vachasimah Tovah And the Gedolei Hador choose to give tzedakah - that third key that rescues from a decree of death and protects against all unfortunate events – through Kupat Ha’ir. This way, they are sure that one hundred percent of their contribution reaches its destination, that their money goes to worthy paupers and that every step is carried out with absolute honesty. If Kupat Ha’ir meets the high standards of the Gedolei Hador for carrying out the mitzvah of tzedakah, for achieving “…utzedakah – ma’avirin es roa hagzeirah,” what can we say? Are we ensured a sweet and wonderful year free of agmas nefesh? Do we have a signed contract?
Baruch Hashem, I have merited to join those who are participating with a sizeable contribution to Kupat Ha’ir, which is very important for doing chessed
and he who performs chessed merits chessed from the Creator’s treasure stores of chessed.
The Gedolei Hador are apprehensive about the yom hadin and take steps to prepare for it. Each of them prepares himself, among other things, by making a sizeable contribution to Kupat Ha’ir. What about us??
Maran Hagaon Harav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, shlit”a, writing a kvittel for a kesivah vachasimah tovah.
Follow Their Example To Me
Kesivah Vac The kvittel of Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, for a kesivah vachasimah tovah I’m enclosing a contribution for the poor of Kupat Ha’ir in order to merit a kesivah vachasimah tovah.
wr i The check i alev Shmuel H ed s To be bles a ah tovah vachasim
The kvittel of the Nadvorne kesivah vachas BS”D
Enclosed find NIS 500 For the great organization Kupat Ha’ir
And in the merit of tzedakah vachessed may Hashem find us worthy. The Rachmastrivker Rebbe shlit”a, Yerushalaim, at the opening of the appeal
Merit a
chasimah Tovah The Lelover Rebbe, shlit”a, writing the kvittel for a kesivah vachasimah tovah.
by Harav n e t t i r w k er, shlit”a levi Wosn esivah ak ssed with ssed Hashem. he vah and c
orner Rebbe, shlit”a, for a chasima tovah.
my contribution to Kupat Ha’ir
in order to merit and be blessed along with all of Klal Yisrael with a good and sweet year and the arrival of Mashiach, speedily, in our days.
Which ever You Lo Whichever way you look at iit, t , ch choosing hoosiing Kupat Ha’ir as your place of choice to give tzedakah is the right thing at the right time and in the right place. People give tzedakah for various reasons, each of which makes Kupat Ha’ir the obvious first choice as far as compatibility and advisability are concerned. The Gedolei Hador, shlit”a, specifically Harav Chaim Kanievsky, testify as much in every possible way. Take a look at these letters.
Letter 1 Everlasting Benefit
Everlasting Eve erlasting Benefit (Letter No. 1) A fellow received a sizeable inheritance. He wanted to give ma’aser to a place that would provide him the merit of “everlasting benefit.” He knew that when his time came to leave this world, he would not be able to take his inheritance with him – nor any property or asset he could purchase with it. When the time came to face the heavenly Court, he’d be completely alone – save for the mitzvos he’d done with his money, which would act as advocates on his behalf. So he was looking for a place to give the ma’aser, a place that would provide everlasting benefit. His question was so right. It’s not every day a person receives such a large sum of money and has the opportunity to make such a generous contribution to tzedakah. He wanted to make sure his contribution would be given in
r Way ook At It its eentir entirety to the most appropriate and worthy destination. The place that would ensure him destinat the most everlasting benefit! He wrote to Harav Kanievsky asking his advice. Rav Kanievsky would surely give him trustworthy advice. Rav Kanievsky would never allow outside considerations of any type to influence his response. When Rav Kanievsky is asked a question, he feels obligated to think only about the asker’s benefit and he responds in kind. Respond he did. To Kupat Ha’ir. He knows what the situation is at Kupat Ha’ir. He knows that everything is done lesheim Shamayim and in strict accordance with the clear and unequivocal instructions of the rabbanim, shlit”a. Kupat Ha’ir is an extension of his own arm, placing him in a position to testify. As indeed he did.
Anyone seeking everlasting benefit; anyone who wants his money to stand in his good stead in olam haba – would do well to give it to Kupat Ha’ir. Over there
th money provides fruits in this the wo and in the next. world Ra Chaim’s response to the fellow who Rav ask asked the question actually affects every one of us. When we contribute our eve ma’aser money to Kupat Ha’ir – even if it’s ma not as much as that of the man with the no inheritance and even if we contribute inh for a different reason entirely – we merit everlasting benefit! We deposit me our money in the best possible place, ou wh which grants an awesome zechus to all its contributors. After 120, when we come to beis din shel ma’alah, we’ll find our contributions beautifully intact, ready and waiting for us. And we’ll come supplied with testimony from the Gedolei Hador, shlit”a. Can anyone read this and fail to be impressed? Moved? Inspired to contribute more?
Meriting a Yeshuah (Letter No. 2) Sometimes, people seek the best place to contribute not for a yeshuah in the World to Come but for a yeshuah in this world. Tzedakah rescues from death; it protects and saves. Many people today are in desperate need of a yeshuah of some sort. The amount of requests that come pouring into Kupat Ha’ir every day; the number of people asking to have their names submitted to the Gedolei Hador, shlit”a, to be prayed for – is huge. A glance at one daily list is enough to send shivers up one’s spine: sick people, suffering people, older singles, childless couples, people struggling with parnassah and people encountering trouble with their children, Yidden in danger of leaving Yiddishkeit, bitter controversies, problems at work, neighbor issues – what not?
Which ever Way You Look At It And people know that tzedakah contribu contributions storm the gates of heaven. Who should one contribute to so that the yeshuah will come quickly, immediately and clearly? A suffering family addressed this question to Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a. They were looking for a tzedakah mehuderes, a worthy tzedakah. They understood that that the worthier the tzedakah, the higher the chances of meriting a yeshuah. Harav Kanievsky responded without a moment’s hesitation: Kupat Ha’ir is a tzedakah mehuderes, a worthy tzedakah! And again we feel that indefinable feeling. Who among us does not need a yeshuah? Which of us doesn’t want a yeshuah as a bonus for the money he contributes? Big yeshuos and little ones, everyday ones and rare ones. Everyone holding down a job wants a yeshuah that will help him advance
Letter 2
a Meriting
Yeshuah
qu uick and better. Every wife and quicker mo oth wants to see her work bear mother fruit; every child in kindergarten wants to be accepted by his friends. We all want yeshuos!
And Kupat Ha’ir is the best place, the worthiest place, the place with the seal of approval from Maran Harav Kanievsky, shlit”a. Kupat Ha’ir offers the highest chances, the best odds. Since we’re giving in any case, contributing in any case, we might as well add a tefillah and merit a yeshuah. There’s a reason why the percentage of “veteran” contributors to Kupat Ha’ir is so high. It’s really very simple: whoever tries it is successful and satisfied customers keep bringing their “business” back over and over again.
Public Decision (Letter No. 3) From a third direction, we have a public question. An American tzedakah organization received a huge sum of money. Its manager was seeking a trustworthy place to give the money. The contributor wanted his money to be distributed honestly, with no personal considerations, with no disappearances or discrepancies or lack of clarity as to the best and worthiest causes. The organization sent a request for guidance as to the best place to transfer the money to four of the Gedolei Hador. And they all gave the same answer! Kupat Ha’ir, Some provided explanations; some did not. But the answer was unequivocal. Unequivocal! Kupat Ha’ir. Rav Kanievsky, too, gave the same answer. He was aware of its public significance, of the
waves his reply would make the world over. He was aware of the implications. And this is what he said! Adaraba, let the public see the way Gedolei Hador relate to tzedakah! Let the public learn that the mitzvah of tzedakah must be carried out with maximum responsibility, with thought and consideration, with complete subservience to the gedolei Yisrael and with utmost loyalty… just like in Kupat Ha’ir!
The Historic Letter (Letter No. 4) After the above letters, it is nearly superfluous to mention the famous letter penned by Harav Kanievsky to Kupat Ha’ir: The words speak for themselves: “…great things in tzorchei tzedakah and in the affairs of the needy.” Great things? That is the only way to define the huge revolution that Kupat Ha’ir has wrought as far as achievement is concerned. And Maran goes on, “And I know the gabba’im to be honest and loyal people who consult with the Rabbanim on every matter.” This sentence captures the essence of the way Kupat Ha’ir operates with regard to
determining the criteria for receiving aid. Over here, no one does as he sees fit, as understanding or emotion dictates. There are rabbanim and they are obeyed without question. The Gedolei Hador know this for a fact. Kupat Ha’ir has merited what no other tzedakah organization ever has: certificates of integrity in the form of such letters from Harav Kanievsky, shlit”a. These letters do not hang on the walls in our offices nor are they filed with our documents. They are our modus operandi, our way of life. They are our criteria and our standards. And Maran, shlit”a, has signed all these letters. He signed! Actually, he wrote them himself so they would have maximal power. So people would know what they need to do. It’s tremendously uplifting, but also very obligatory.
Letter 4 The Historic Letter
Letter 3 Public Dec ision
ional plished great and sensat Kupat Hair has accom people in dy nee the for a dak things in tzorchei tze hy , ba’im to be trustwort our city. I know the gab im every ban rab h wit t sul con honest people ,who ion,for rk without compensat step of the way,and wo are literally es cas any ds.M nee s ’ all the needy people at mitzvah to help and pikuach nefesh.It is a gre gives this tzedaka one support them.W hen to if he is giving tzedaka (to Kupat Hair) it is as who help be se tho all y Ma s. Jew thousands of needy blessed with kol tuv
“IIt’s bound “It’ bo ound to o repeat reepeat itself,” people assume b efforre tthey hey ev ven glance at this column. before even ““There Th herre re couldn’t could dn’tt possibly be anything new to wr rit i ea bou outt! T here’s no point in spending write about! There’ five m fiv inute es a ctually reading the column; minutes actually I’ve heard it all already.” Still, most people can’t refrain from taking just a peek. A peek, that’s all. When they finish the column and sigh in amazement, they suddenly realize that the incredible actually occurred. There was new material! They read the entire column to the end, not skipping over a single word. This very human characteristic surfaces not only with regard to reading the yeshuos stories but also with the way people relate to them. The biggest cynics, those who always announced their skepticism and refused to acknowledge the powerful segulah of contributing to Kupat Ha’ir – have become our chief supporters! That’s how it is. The first time a person finds himself facing a crisis and decides it’s worth a try. The next time he’s in a tight spot, he knows it’s a pity to spend time and effort seeking solutions when the real solution is right there. You read this column one time and you’re hooked.
Beyond Desperation Mrs. M rs Z Z. was concerned. concerned Very concerned concerned. The doctors had set a date for cesarean surgery and she
was very nervous. She went to daven at the mekomos hakedoshim and her husband visited tzaddikim to ask for their blessing. But the situation remained unchanged. M Z ll d down d tto th it l to t Mrs. Z. was called the h hospital explore alternative options. A different type of treatment was suggested but the doctors pointed out that it carried some risk. The Z's made inquiries and deliberated long and hard. In the end, they tried the alternative treatment but it didn’t work. They were back to square one: surgery was still necessary. When the time came, Mrs. Z showed up at the hospital, trying to put on a brave front. Inside, she was quaking with fear. “How about contributing to Kupat Ha’ir?” Mrs. Z’s father suddenly asked her husband. “Contribute to Kupat Ha’ir?” her husband echoed. “Where did this new segulah come from that everyone’s so busy with lately? I do what my parents taught me to do: I daven; I ask tzaddikim for a brachah; I go to kivrei tzaddikim. Why Kupat Ha’ir?” “So don’t give to Kupat Ha’ir,” Mrs. Z’s father said. “Isn’t it written to give tzedakah in times of trouble? Is that a new invention? Every year, you say, ‘Uteshuvah utefillah utzedakah ma’avirin es roa hagzeirah. I assume you do teshuvah? I know you daven. So why neglect tzedakah?” His son-in-law thought about it and agreed. His father-in-law was right. “Now if you’re going to give tzedakah, why not
give it to Kupat Ha’ir? I personally have good experience with the organization. The Gedolei Hador approve. Why do you object?” Once again, Mr. Z. accepted his father-in-law’s words. Tzedakah tatzil mimaves: he knew that much. And if he was giving tzedakah, why not give it to a place he knew was trustworthy? Okay, he made up his mind to contribute. They weren’t wealthy people, not even close, but… “NIS 600 is the most I can afford,” Mr. Z said. In truth, it was way beyond what he could afford. The doctors convened to assess the situation once more and the results surprised Mrs. Z, her family and the doctors. The matter concluded with a simchah and a mazel tov with no surgical intervention.
More Hospital Stories M. was recuperating slowly after a debilitating stroke stroke. It was a miracle she was alive; at one point, the doctors gave her very little chance of pulling through. Now she needed therapy to regain the use of her body. Every little movement required lots of hard work. “I’m not breathing well,” she complained to her husband, her father, her doctor. No one could explain why. When the complaint continued for a few days, a top doctor was called in to examine her. “She knows what she’s talking about,” the doctor declared. “She’s suffering from severe edema in her lungs. Surgery is a must!” A date was set. The family was very nervous. M. was instructed to fast for a number of hours prior to surgery and she followed those instructions. She was still weak as a result of the stroke. Fasting was very difficult. Her surgery was scheduled for ten o’clock in the morning
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievski, shlit”a:
“Whoever contributes to Kupat Ha’ir merits seeing open miracles.”
but ten came and went and she hadn’t yet been taken to the operating room. Another hour ticked by, then another and another. “What’s causing such a long delay?” the family asked. “A number of cases requiring emergency surgery have come in,” the staff explained. In the meantime, M’s fast dragged on and on, seemingly without end. Her father could no longer stand to see her suffering. The fast, the tension, the weakness… “100 NIS to Kupat Ha’ir,” he said finally, out of desperation. Less than five minutes later, an orderly came to take M. to the operating room. But that is not all. The surgery should have lasted an hour. It was nearly two o’clock by the time she’d been wheeled in, so the family was expecting the surgery to be over by about three. Three o’clock came and went and so did four and five. M’s father’s insides were churning. He stopped every nurse that passed by but the answer was always the same: “When the doctor completes the surgery, he’ll come out to speak to you.” What could possibly be taking such a long time? Why was one-hour surgery turning into four-hour surgery? What was going on behind those doors? Anyone who has ever spent time behind the doors of an operating room knows the awful, helpless feeling. Time seems to stand still. You can hear your heart beating in fear. It’s enough to drive one insane. When he felt he could no longer stand it, he said once more, “100 NIS to Kupat Ha’ir!” A moment passed and the surgeon burst through the doors. “I forgot to come out to speak with you,” he apologized. “I completed t h e
surgery an hour and a half ago. I just this minute remembered to come tell you…” He just this minute remembered. Just this minute! Just as soon as the contribution was made… Tel: 050-4188911
$180 to life in this world $180 to life in the world to come Another hospital story, this time in England: Mr. F was terminally ill. The end seemed closer than ever before. His daughter sat at his bedside, trying to lighten his mood and ease the final weeks of his life as much as possible. Her father was suffering terrible pain and she constantly begged the nurses and doctors to give him more morphine. When his pain grew worse, the hospital staff gave in and brought shots that would take the edge off the pain. The patient would sleep for half an hour, they said, and then he’d be relatively pain-free for the next few hours. “Sign on the dotted line,” the nurse said, sticking a document under her nose. “It’s a consent form.” “Consent for what?” Mr. F’s daughter was so agitated to see her father’s suffering that she could barely think straight. “There’s a slight risk with the medication,” the nurse said impassively. “Nothing serious. Everyone takes it.” She signed. Half an hour passed and her father was still asleep. I’m glad, his daughter thought. He needs his rest. An hour later, the doctor came to see what was happening. “Still sleeping?” the doctor asked, a worry line showing in his brow. “That’s not such a good sign. Be alert.” Mr. F’s daughter began to worry in earnest now. Another hour passed and the head nurse came in. “Has he communicated with you in any way?” she asked. “No, he’s sleeping the whole time,” Mr. F’s daughter replied, alarmed. “That’s bad news,” the nurse said grimly. She scribbled something on the patient’s chart and looked at him pityingly. Three hours after he’d received the medication, Mr. F’s daughter was pleading with her father to wake
up. By the time four hours had passed, she was beside herself. At five hours, doctors began coming in and out, examining the patient, verifying what he ate, what medication he’d received, whether he had any allergies and the like. His daughter huddled in a corner, her conscience giving her no rest. Why had she been so quick to sign? “I don’t understand,” her older brother said. “Weren’t you aware there was a risk? Did they ask you to sign anything?” She wept without letup. Yes, she had signed. No, she hadn’t verified, hadn’t asked anyone’s advice. How could she explain herself now? What difference did it make? Another few hours passed. The doctors were showing signs of despair. “Ten hours and still sleeping? The odds are not in his favor.” After fourteen hours of this nightmare, her husband, on the phone from Eretz Yisrael, suggested, “Let’s try contributing to Kupat Ha’ir. Maybe that will help.” She made the call herself, contributing $180, the numerical equivalent of the word chai x ten. Barely ten minutes passed and her father opened his eyes. The entire ward was in an uproar. Techiyas hameisim! Three days later, on a Friday, Mr. F’s soul returned to Shamayim. The levayah was set to take place that morning. All the arrangements were made and the levayah began. In the middle, leafing through the anager of the lo ocaal cchevra heevra ra kad dish ha paperwork, the manager local kadisha son cited for Mr. Mr. F’s death death was waas saw that the reason “malnutrition.” h a “cause of dea ath”” ne eceess s ita itatess a Malnutrition? Such death” necessitates on! The body police investigation! errred until could not be interred t t. the police okayed it. “There was no malnutrition,” his daughter e e. wept. “It’s a mistake. taake!” It’s got to be a mistake!” T he h A call was placed to the hospital. The ed the death certifi ficaate t w as n o doctor who signed certificate was no hearrd the the th longer there. Thee manager on dutyy heard avve he er th he desperation in thee woman’s voice and ggave her the doctor’s cell phone number. de. The doctorr The call was made.
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievski, shlit”a:
“Yeshuos come through Kupat Ha’ir, which is run honestly.”
asked a few questions and remembered the case. Yes, it was a mistake. He had mixed up two patients. “We need you to fix the document!” Mr. F’s daughter pleaded. The doctor was most gracious. Of course he would fix it. On Sunday morning, when he came into the hospital, he’d fax her a new death certificate. He wasn’t in the hospital now; there was nothing to talk about. All pleas fell on deaf ears. A hullabaloo ensued. The levayah was stopped. The body couldn’t be buried. Such a bizayon to the deceased! So much pain for the unfortunate neshamah! Once again, Mr. F’s daughter decided to try contributing to Kupat Ha’ir. She contributed another $180, this time lechayei ha’olam haba. Would the mitzvah of tzedakah melt the nonJewish doctor’s heart? Suddenly, the phone rang. The doctor had called of his own free will. “I realize this must be very important to you,” he said. “I’ll take care of the matter right now. Where would you like me to send the revised certificate?” Tel: 052-7619604
On That Same Day y From a house of mourning mourning, let us move on to a house of rejoicing. It was 7 Teves, 5768. S, a not-so-young single girl, was feeling pretty dejected. It was her 23rd birthday and there was not even one serious shidduch suggestion on the horizon. Her friends were already caring for children of their own while she was still living with her parents. The warm blessings of all the kindly souls who h were beginning to be knew her uncomfo very uncomfortable. look her Her father’s looks, mother’s Te Tehillim, eighteen her eighteen-years old sister’s stories fr about her friends’ engagemen engagements… it
was so hard. “If I’m engaged by Rosh Chodesh Shevat,” she said to her brother that evening, trying to give herself a concrete reason to maintain hope, “I’ll contribute 500 euro to Kupat Ha’ir!” On Rosh Chodesh Shevat, nearly weeping with emotion, her brother called Kupat Ha’ir. His sister was too overwrought to talk. A few moments earlier, they had broken a plate! Tel: 054-8450908
More and more families like these keep joining Kupat Ha’ir all the time. Families that have witnessed a yeshuah firsthand; families that saw yad Hashem clearly. What a sense of amazement they feel; what an all-over-good feeling! It’s as if a curtain was pulled back from an ordinary, routine day to reveal something else entirely. Isn’t seeing Hashem’s chessed so clearly the greatest benefit from all these yeshuos ? Not the damage that was never caused; not the simchah that was celebrated; not the huge stone that rolled off a heart. More uplifting and powerful than all of these is the knowledge that one has merited special hashgachah pratis, hashgachah that moved established norms aside, clearing the way for a yeshuah.
WHAT IS AREIVIM? A clear and simple explanat ion of th e Ar
eivim plan: Were all hurt , when we se e tzedakah appeals, for wid the all-too-familiar brochures, advertising ow and their relatives and ac s and orphans. The families are mortified qu huge resources. Due to th aintances must scramble to come up with e frequency with which th es the public’s response has been waning and sometim e appeals appear, es even the target sum is not raised. Therefor e, all the tzedakah funds and organizations in the U.S. have joined to in itiate the Areivim plan, to establish funds for widows and orphans, in a respectable and dignified manner.
? T O N Y H W r iin the group. u yo p u n g si u yo on as
s to them 1. TherthhreeHisusbnoasingdn&uWp feifee,aares socovered if sometkheinagohnae-ptipen bution me $7-contrib a o B m 2. Each ffamily makes a commitmeniltietos in the group lose a parent. 3. per orphan only if one of the facemive a fund of $100,000. l re a month is $28. , each orphan wil in lt su ed re rg a a s ch A e b 4. The maximum amount of moreneythtoan 4 orphans in a month 5. If, G-d forbid, there will beomnoed until the following month. Americca
6.
ands Thous ilies of fam lready have a joined
in be postp of all the Gedolim t en the balance will em rs o d en d blessing an T he plan has the el. and in Eretz Yisro
Areivim the Gedolei Hador’s solution to the suffering of widows and orphans
Call & Sign up
1-866-7 273484
AREIVIM
Tefillos The Seder Hatefilos at the home of the Nadvorner Rebbe, Shlit”a, on Erev Yom Kippur As the sun begins to set, Harav Aharon Dovid Rosenbaum, shlit”a, brings the Rebbe, shlit”a, the names of the contributors to Kupat Ha’ir. The Rebbe, shlit”a, prays for a long time, bringing yeshuos down from Heaven for the contributors. We have recently learned that on trips to kivrei tzaddikim, the Rebbe takes along the kivitlach and reads many names at the holy sites leyeshuah ulebrachah.
How’s the Girl? It was a typical, routine day. The telephone at Kupat Ha’ir rang, just as it had a minute and a quarter ago, two minutes ago, two and a half minutes ago, three and a third minutes ago… One of the operators took the call. Her face turned white. “What happened?” she whispered hoarsely, pressing the receiver closer to her ear. In the background, she heard crying. The caller’s voice was choked as well. It was hard to make out what she was saying through her sobs but the operator put two and two together and grasped the bleak picture. A girl had drowned at the beach. She’d been fished out of the water and Hatzalah was working on her. The caller didn’t know the girl’s name but she asked that the case be reported immediately to Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, so he could daven for her. “The girl’s mother is hysterical… she can’t tell me what her daughter’s name is.” The caller gave the operator her credit card number and cited the figure she wanted to contribute. The operator
os Every Day quickly typed the data into her computer. She hung up the phone and wrote clearly on a sheet of paper: A girl has drowned at the beach. Please daven for her speedy recovery. She rose and approached the fax machine. The phone rang again. A different operator took the call. She listened tensely for a moment and then shouted, “But how is the girl? Is she alive?” The other operators looked at her in alarm. Only one other operator knew what she was talking about. The second operator approached the fax with a sheet of paper in hand. “They gave you a name?” the first operator asked. Her friend nodded and the two whispered a few chapters of Tehillim as they faxed the updated sheet of paper. The next hysterical phone call was answered by an operator who was familiar with the story, and the next, and the next. But then the shift changed at Kupat Ha’ir and once again, the operators were terribly alarmed when the phone calls came in. The girl’s father had been briefed about the situation and his first reaction was to call Kupat Ha’ir. Another woman at the beach had the same idea. The mother called from the ambulance; the grandmother called from up north; the aunts called from all over the country. How many telephone calls were coming in about the same incident? No one was counting. “My son took a nasty fall… we’re very worried.” The mother sounded desperate. The operator heard a wailing siren in the background. A few minutes later,
a neighbor called, then another and another. The child’s name was transferred to Harav Kanievsky and many prayers were recited for his recovery.
A Sense of Holy Awe At Kupat Ha’ir, tefillos are not only for yahrtzeits, erev Rosh Hashanah or leil Yom Kippur, for Hoshana Rabba and for Purim. At Kupat Ha’ir, tefillos are for every day. The earnestness with which these tefillos are uttered give one the feeling that every day is an auspicious day for tefillah.
At Kupat Ha’ir, we know that people who call to ask that the Gedolim pray for them are often experiencing a crisis of some sort where every second is critical. We therefore treat every request to submit a name for tefillah with a feeling of holy awe! “Like dinei momenus!” This unequivocal instruction is given to every new operator. The veteran ones are frequently reminded as well. “Treat the names that are submitted for tefillah like you would treat money entrusted to you for tzedakah. Failure to be careful with names submitted for tefillah is tantamount to stealing. We’ve given people our word – if we fail to keep it, it’s gezel gamur!” And the instruction is scrupulously heeded, with understanding, agreement and love. Who makes sure the names are really submitted? people used to think. So many names, so many
Tefillos Every Day The Seder Hatefilos at the home of the Chernobyler Rebbe, Shlit”a, on Erev Yom Kippur Every year, on the eve of the holy day as on many other occasions, the Rebbe, shlit”a, who holds Kupat Ha’ir in great esteem, devotes a special time to daven and beseech Hashem on behalf of all contributors to Kupat Ha’ir. A special messenger arrives at a pre-arranged time and brings the Rebbe heaps of kvitlach. The Rebbe, shlit”a, holds all the names in his hands and davens for them for many long moments, blessing each individual with the blessing he has requested.
contributions ontributions - how can they make sure that the names ames are really submitted, that it’s not just lip service? ervice? They scribble the name down on a scrap of paper aper and forget about it. Kupat Ha’ir is a tzedakah rganization, after all, not a tefillah organization, organization, right? ght? Wrong! Anyone who has ever visited the Kupat Ha’ir offices is amazed at the scene that repeats itself over and over again: a telephone call, usually anonymous, comes in. A contribution is made. The operator quickly takes down the data. So far, it’s just a regular, busy office. But then there’s a moment of silence and the operator asks, her every word saturated with earnestness, “What’s the name?” She spells it aloud to double check for accuracy and gives her word: Bli neder, the name will be submitted to the Gedolei Hador on that same day. Then she goes to the pile of names that have accumulated and adds one more. Usually, her own lips murmur a prayer as well. Can one Jew hear about another in trouble - about childless couples, about a bachur searching fruitlessly for his zivug or a child having trouble in school – without his own Jewish soul stirring and motivating him to pray as well? Sometimes, this seemingly simple procedure takes on a rushed quality. The name must be submitted now, right now, to the gadol hador. Complications with a birth, a child’s disappearance, a huge business deal about to be signed, a tena’im plate about to be
מעמד התפילה של גדולי הדור יחדיו על תורמי קופת העיר
broken. The operator writes down the name in large, clear letters and faxes the paper to Harav Chaim Kanievsky’s house, where his meshamesh bakodesh brings it to him immediately. What happened with the laboring mother? Was the baby born healthy? Is the mother alright? Was the business deal successful? Was the lost child found? Sometimes, people make the effort to call back and tell us what happened. Sometimes they celebrate privately and the operators, still in the dark, continue to be concerned. But always, always, the names are submitted letfilah velebrachah. Kupat Ha’ir stands behind its promises. No name gets lost or omitted. Nothing is more important to Kupat Ha’ir than these names, the names of our contributors. We’re prepared to do anything in the world for them.
24 Hours There is no difference between night and day at Kupat Ha’ir. On erev Shabbos after chatzos and on motzoei Yom Tov, Kupat Ha’ir is there, ready to absorb Am Yisrael’s bakashos. Requests pour in from abroad. Sometimes, Yidden from abroad will also request “right now!” Sometimes, there’s no need to talk because the urgency of the situation is readily apparent from the tense voice of the caller and background noises. The operator speedily calculates what time it is in the country
the frantic telephone call is coming from. Two a.m.? Four a.m.? Phone calls pour in every hour of the day and night, without exaggeration! Ever since Kupat Ha’ir began to be operative during the evening hours as well, from the zeman according to Rabbainu Tam on motzoei Shabbos until half an hour before candle lighting on erev Shabbos – and back again – phone calls have been coming in at all hours. Kupat Ha’ir is always open and ready to listen. The requests are submitted to the homes of the Gedolei Yisrael. Yidden see yeshuos and breathe sighs of relief.
From One Shift to the Next One day blends into another as the operator shifts at Kupat Ha’ir change. The phone calls do not stop for a minute. “My son is starting cheder today. We would like to have his name submitted to the Gedolei Hador for a brachah that he grow up to be a true talmid chacham.” “Our family has been suffering terrible aggravation for some time. We would like to ask that the Rabbanim daven for us.” “My daughter completed seminary two years ago. Her friends are all engaged or married. We feel sure the Rav’s tefillos will help us.”
“We lost a valuable ring, a yerushah from my parents.” My son is becoming friendly with a boy of whom I don’t approve.” “The threat of a divorce is hanging over my daughter’s head. I can’t sleep at night for worry.” “Our business is failing. If we don’t see a yeshuah very soon, we’ll have to declare bankruptcy. My husband will never survive it.” And on and on and on… each request is an entire world. Each request has its own depth, expends its own energy, carries its own baggage, contains its own tears.
The Naroler Rebbe, zt”l, Davening for Kupat Ha’ir Contributors During His Final Year The Rebbe, zt”l, used to daven for contributors to Kupat Ha’ir on a regular basis, especially on erev Yom Kippur. Surely, he continues to be an advocate for them On High, beseeching Hashem to inscribe each individual in the Book of Life.
Three times a day the computer automatically prints out the list of names that has accumulated since the previous time. Three times a day the names are submitted to Maran Hagaon Harav Caim Kanievsky, shlit”a, for his blessing. The first time is at minchah, the second at approximately midnight and the third at sunrise, before tefilas vasikin. All the names that have accumulated every day, an entire day, are submitted to Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib Steinman and Hagaon Harav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, shlit”a, who pray for contributors every day. And their tefilos rend the heavens. The combined power of a contribution to Kupat Ha’ir, whose appointees are like Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon and whose every step is in accordance with da’as Torah - and the special tefilos of the gedolei hador, shlit”a – has no compare! It is an awesome, awesome power that rends the heavens and brings yeshuos!
And so, Kupat Ha’ir has changed from being just a tzedakah organization to an organization of tzedakah, tefillah
Tefillos Every Day and yeshuos. Maybe tzedakah was always such a powerful segulah, only we didn’t know. We don’t know Hashem’s calculations. We’re not supposed osed to analyze matters that are beyond our scope of understanding. anding. But the Gedolei Hador have said that where gedolei Yisrael are in the picture, Hashem’s hanhagah is one of open miracles. A place where the appointees are like Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon is the most mehudar place to give tzedakah. And when these two advantages team up together – yeshuos are not far behind!
This is how it enters the computer
At the Kosel Hama’aravi The same holds true for prayers held at the Kosel. “Who can guarantee me that someone is really davening for me?” people used to ask. Today, no one asks. Kupat Ha’ir has earned the public’s trust due to its serious and responsible treatment of all matters involving the slightest promise to the public or to an individual. A special computer program keeps track of the tefillos, makes a daily printout of the names to be davened for and keeps track of which day of the forty days it is each for each name. The esteemed ba’alei tefillah pour their hearts out to the Ribono shel Olam, saying name after name slowly and accurately, and davening before and after for Hashem to send a yeshuah. No one person receives a too large quota of names. Each ba’al tefillah is aware of the enormity of the responsibility on his shoulders and he fulfills his holy work with loyalty and devotion. In fact, the ba’alei tefillah often continue davening for a particular name even past the specified time. They continue of their own accord because the request touched their hearts. Sometimes, if they feel the tefillah didn’t go smoothly for whatever reason they go back and repeat their prayers. These are true yirei Shamayim and their tefillah is effective.
Today there is a minyan at the Kosel. Contributors may specify that they want a minyan to pray for a particular name at the Kosel. On special days (such as erev Rosh Chodesh Elul and the aseres yemei teshuvah,
This is how it is sent to the Gedolei Hador on .the very same day
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for example), names are prayed for at four holy sites: the Kosel, Kever Rachel, Me’aras Hamachpeilah and the tziyun of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron. And at Kupat Ha’ir, the tension grows ever thicker. Beginning a few days before Rosh Chodesh Elul, shifts work around the clock to open all the envelopes that come in from rabbanim accepting contributions on Kupat Ha’ir’s behalf (a special collection is made!) in order to take out the names of those contributors who wish to have their names mentioned at the Kosel for 40 consecutive days. The phones nearly buckle under the strain, the operators work like the wind – all to fulfill Kupat Ha’ir’s promise to contributors…those who submit their names in time merit having them prayed for from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur, the day upon which Hashem said salachti kidvarecha.
Don’t Miss It! Before Rosh Hashanah, we will once again receive names to submit to the rabbanim, and before Yom Kippur and before Hoshana Rabba. Every such day is a tremendous challenge, but we know we dare not miss a single name. We dare not! A very high percentage of our callers are people calling for the second, third, fourth or umpteenth time.
The gates of heaven open in the face of a contribution that comes along with the prayers of tzaddikim. What fool would miss such an opportunity?
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Donations can be sent to: Kupat Hair 4415 14th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219
Shmuel Berenbaum Ztl 1795 East 7th Street Brooklyn, New York 11223
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פדיון נפש Special testimony from the Son of Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a To my dear friends, gabba’im of Kupat Ha’ir, shlit”a: nd I see fit to inform you that I went in to my father and teacher, shlit”a, and showed him all the names of the ors contributors to Kupat Ha’ir. I told him that the contributtors emei yemei aseres the during names their mention he that asked ere he teshuva. He told me to leave the names on his desk (where yemei aseres the after until them learns) and not to remove for filla tefilla separate a offered teshuva. He later added that he the of s greatness the the contributors to Kupat Ha’ir, because . ted. estimated merit of contributing to Kupat Ha’ir cannot be estimat
on Harav Shaul ben Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a
To: Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky Please daven that I be inscribed for a sweet, good year For children: For a refuah sheleima For zivug hagun Parnassah
edy recovery)): (speedy
e): (worthy mate)
(livelihood)
with ease:
Nachas from children: Other:
Please fill in me your Hebrew name and mother’s Hebrew name
Maran Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky, prays for the contributors on erev Yom Kippur, shortly before Kol Nidrei.
Y
a h c a r B l a n o s r e p a g in iv ou too can merit rece r a e y d o o g t, e e w s a r fo to be inscribed
Please daven on my behalf for: נחת מהילדים Nachas from children זרע של קיימא For children רפואה שלמה For a refuah sheleima (speedy recovery) זיווג הגון For zivug hagun (worthy mate) פרנסה Parnassah (livelihood) with ease Please fill in your Hebrew name and mother’s Hebrew name
Urgent requests are immediately forwarded to the home of the Gedolei Hador
How do I donate to Kupat Hair? 1envelope.
Send your donation do in the enclosed Tzeddakah Hotline Call the 24 Hour H (donation by cre credit ed card) at 1-866-221-9352 Fax:
21888-633-21888
Email: info@ info@kupathairusa.org @k
your donation to the Rabbonim in 3 Send your area (see list on Envelope).
4
Send your you donation to: Kupat Hair Ha ai Avenue 4415 14th A Brooklyn, NY 11219 Brooklyn
Please make m checks payable to: American Friends F of Kupat Ha'ir
Montreal: Rabbi Y. C. Wenger Shlita, 2227 Goyer Avenue, Montreal Quebec H3S 1H1 In Send your donation to: Toronto: Rabbi M. M. Lowy Shlita, 240 Carmichael, Toronto Ontario M5M 2x4 Please make checks payable to: Canadian Friends of Kupat Ha'ir Canada
1-866-221-9352
24 Hour Tzeddakah hotline
For all information or to receive a pushka call 1-800-233-2188 Our office number in Israel: 3-671-6994