From a distance, the chanting of the other boys grows louder.
Yos-si! Yos-si!

Hearing his name being called, Yossi’s teacher grows alarmed. Yossi is a boy in third grade but he is not like the other children. Yossi’s speech is a bit slurred and he wobbles unsteadily as he walks. At recess he usually sits on the side watching the older boys play, seemingly in his own world, uninterested in his surroundings. Hearing his name being called his teacher rushed to find out what kind of commotion her student was causing.

When she reached the playground, Yossi’s teacher stopped where she was and stared. Yossi was slowly and painstakingly running to second base. The rest of the boys from both teams were gathering around; cheering him on. “Yos-si! You can do it!” they yelled. The opposing teammates, fully aware that they would lose the game, were moving slowly, allowing Yossi to make the home run. As he finally slid into the home plate, they all cheered and proceeded to lift him up and proclaim him the “baseball champ” of the season.

The teacher stood rooted to the spot, just watching Yossi’s face light up. She felt tears rush to her eyes. How accepting, how warm, and compassionate were these precious children! These were competitive boys, she knew, and they were usually arguing over points. “They didn’t even know I was there,” she later related. “But these students are learning far more than just academic skills here.” They took initiative and saw that a heart that can be lifted is worth some game points.

This is just one example that captures the essence of Yeshiva Eitz Chaim.

VISIT eitzchaimauction to ENTER THE AMAZING AUCTION!