Readers around the world are familiar with Kupat Ha’Ir’s monthly Orphan Wedding program: 30 special brides & grooms who have lost a parent are hand-selected. Those chosen are particularly poor, and needy. Their stories vary, and in the past symbolic stories have told of journeys of loss, and pain. However this month, three brave souls have stepped forward to make their true and real stories public.
Why? In hopes that generous strangers will contribute, to help them start their married lives with a sense of security.
Here is one young man’s true story:
A Baby Without A Mother
“He completes our first dozen,” Ima said with joy, holding her precious infant son close. “Each child is an entire world in his own right, and this little one is no exception.” But half a year later, Ima was rushed to the hospital upon suffering a sudden stroke, and two weeks later, she was carried out on a stretcher and transported to a rehabilitative institution.
The staff at the institution could do nothing to help her, however, and Ima remained in a deep sleep for many years before returning her neshamah to her Creator. The children, who had been “like orphans” for so long now became orphans for real.
Nati, the youngest, was just half a year old on that terrible night. He was at the babysitter when the stroke occurred, and he remained there until the babysitter could no longer have him, whereupon he was sent to a different babysitter, and from there, to yet a third. Back home, the remaining children were having a difficult time functioning normally; bringing the baby home was simply not an option.
Life didn’t get any easier as time passed.. The older girls tried to institute a routine that would allow for an atmosphere of happiness and normalcy. Their devotion was incredible and their efforts surpassed what could be expected of teenagers. But a baby? That would be stretching them beyond what they were capable of doing.
And so Nati was shuttled from one caregiver to another, from an aunt to a neighbor, from a ganenet who took pity on him and offered to have him stay with her to a rebbe in cheder a few years later– until finally, when he had enough of moving so frequently, he packed his bags and returned home.
And now Nati is getting getting married with no one to fund his wedding expenses. He made a commitment to the kallah’s side, he’s organizing his aufruf, he’s ordering whatever’s necessary. The kallah isn’t even aware that her chassan personally acquired the money for the gifts she received.
Even strong young men can cry at night, every night, when no one sees. Our job is to wipe away Nati’s tears with overpowering love and help him arrive at the day of his simchah the way a chassan ought to.”
These individuals’ stories are so tragic, their need so severe, Rav Chaim Kanievsky has issued a personal letter with a blessing on their behalf: Help these special people who “have nothing,” and receive his blessing for happiness in the home – “soon.”
It is an incredible cause, an invaluable bracha, and a special opportunity to connect yourself to a charity fund supported by the Gedolei Yisroel. If Nati’s story touched you, or if you or a loved one need a yeshua, CLICK HERE to help.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
