Click here to join the fundraising project to honor the Esther Pollard
Jonathan Pollard, who made Aliya after his release from prison following 30 years behind bars, launched the "Pollard's Children" campaign yesterday (Sunday, January 22) - a crowdfunding project for the establishment of a children's educational center in memory of his late wife Esther Pollard Z"L.
Jonathan and Esther did not merit to have children due to the harsh prison conditions imposed on him. Now, a year after Esther's passing, he wants to realize their shared dream by establishing an educational center for children to be named after Esther - "Esther's Children's Center."
Today, leading rabbis from the religious Zionist movement are joining the project with a letter of support and calling on the public to join in the efforts. Among the rabbis who signed the letter are: Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Rabbi Eitan Eisman, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi David Dudkevich, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Micha Halevi, Rabbi Chaim Steiner, Rabbi David Turgeman, and Rabbi Yoel Katan.
Click here to join the fundraising project to honor the Esther Pollard
In their letter, the rabbis write: "We call on the entire public, educational institutions, youth movements, cities, and communities to join the efforts of Jonathan Pollard to establish the Center for the Children of Esther named after his late wife, so that her soul may have an Aliya and her legacy to live on."
They continue: "By doing so, we will continue the great tradition of gratitude, and merit to instill self-sacrifice, faith and endurance in the face of physical and spiritual difficulties reflected in the lives of Jonathan and Esther in ourselves and future generations of Jews."
Last night (Sunday), hundreds took part in a special conference in Jerusalem with the participation of Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Micha Halevi, and Jews from across Israel.
During the gathering, Jonathan quoted the Holy texts: "He who teaches his neighbor's child Torah is like he who teaches his own child," and explained that he views the project as the only way to fulfill Esther's eternal dream of bearing children which she did not merit in her lifetime.
Click here to join the fundraising project to honor the Esther Pollard