Rav Shimon Galai
Rav Shimon GalaiBanner Media

It was a joyous moment for my family: The engagement. Cries of ‘mazel tov’ rang out, both sides exchanged handshakes, and we were on our way to beginning a new life. I was in shidduchim for many years - It is a huge simcha.

Little did we know, my father was not well. Cancer was growing in his body and by the time he learned his diagnosis just weeks later, he would be gone.

He left behind a devastated family, a widow, many children, debts, bills. He left behind - a kallah.

The embarrassment and grief that have followed are unbearable. The day approaches. I do not have what I need. The whole thing may be cancelled.

A friend recommends that I submit my details to Kupat Ha'Ir for their Sivan orphan wedding fund. Each night I pray through tears in my sefer Tehilim that the fund will be successful, and we won't have to call off the wedding.”

The month of Sivan is more than half over, and one of the biggest fundraising campaigns in Israel has fallen severely short of its goal.

The Kupat Ha’Ir orphan wedding campaign has gained the public support of Israel’s biggest rabbanim in recent years, including but not limited to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Dovid Cohen, Rav Twersky, and the Rachmastrivke Rebbe. Each month, one Rav takes personal responsibility for the campaign, and gives a specific blessing to donors who contribute.

Donations go toward a group of registered young men & women who have lost their parents, and are struggling financially to get married this month. Many of the couples have already married since Rosh Chodesh, and are missing essential basic household items. Engagement and early marriage, times meant to be joyful, are overcast by a shadow of grief and poverty.

This month’s blessing for donors is from Rav Shimon Galai, who blesses those who can help with children who follow in the path of Torah, and give nachas. This is an especially relevant blessing from many parents who are faced with the unique challenges of raising children in today’s society.

Despite the relevance of the bracha and the stature of the campaign’s contributors, this month’s campaign has only raised $7,500. Their financial goal is to give each of the 36 orphans a wedding gift of $1,000, a modest yet significant sum which would allow them to purchase essentials associated with the wedding process.

The young brides and grooms will walk to their chuppahs this month without parents by their side. Whether they will do so with a feeling of support from their global community, or in a state of worry and embarrassment, lies in the hands of strangers around the world. Strangers like you.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL CAMPAIGN