As the world continues to struggle with the coronavirus crisis, we at Shapell’s/Darche Noam and Midreshet Rachel continue to work extremely hard to meet the spiritual, educational and material needs of our students.

We are very grateful for the generous support from our alumni and friends who have been extra helpful during the past year. It is thanks to you that we have thus far been able to weather the financial crisis and be here for our students.

Now, as Purim and Pesach are rapidly approaching, our financial needs are even greater. In a “regular” year, our students would enjoy their Shabbat meals, Purim Seuda, and Pesach Seders in the homes of teachers and local alumni. Even as Israel’s third lockdown begins to slowly open up, we are far from out of the woods; hosting and being hosted still carries a very real risk. We expect to have to continue to provide full meal service for all of our students at least through Shavuot. Most of our students do not have the financial means to pay for these large but essential costs themselves.

We are turning to you at this time to help cover these significant, additional expenses over the coming months. This is an opportunity to get the merit of the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim, even while not being able to personally have guests. Please consider “hosting” our students for Shabbat or Yom Tov as a special gift over and above your regular annual gift.