While we are all deep into our Pesach preparations, it should be noted that this will be the  fourth Pesach that Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava will be spending in prison, alone without family or even one friendly face.

The askonim, Dayan Weiss, R’ Aron Nezri and R’ Meilich Bindinger, who have been coordinating and overseeing the defense effort have already shipped an ample amount of matza to Japan for the two boys, as matza has been allowed into the prison in the past and will be delivered to them this year as well. However, the askonim are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to have authorities allow grape juice and packaged of dry food items such as nuts, chocolate, Pesach cookies, and the like into the prison. Thus far permission has not been granted, but Askonim hope that ultimately the efforts of the askonim will bear fruit. The boys have also been sent new clothing for Yom Tov, as well as machzorim, haggados, and other seforim.

The boys will also be visited this week by someone who will spend several days in Japan. This will be a source of tremendous chizuk to them, as the opportunities for visits during Pesach itself will be limited due to the Shabbos directly before it and another Shabbos being in the middle of Chol Hamoed. Also the Japanese National Holiday comes two days after Isru Chag and goes on through May 6th, during which everything, including the prisons, are closed and no visitors will be allowed.

While all possible forms of hishtadlus are being done by the selfless askonim both in the legal aspect and in physically and emotionally supporting the boys, please continue to keep Yaakov Yosef and Yoel Zev in your tefillos.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!!

The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel.

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