A Program Rooted in Kindness
Looking back at the beginnings of the many options and services that now come under the umbrella of Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah, I am amazed at how some of them came to be, “once upon a time.” It’s easy to look at the smorgasbord of programs, some of which are related, and think that they were all implemented at once, the brainchild of a single person. As those who are part of this team can attest, that is far from the reality! Suggestions, requests, tweaking of existing programs – all play a part in the formation of CLM’s offerings.
One of our lesser-known programs, the Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah Sponsorship program, actually came about through the generosity and thoughtfulness of a single individual.
Rabbi L. was one of our earliest patrons; on the occasion of his father’s yahrtzeit, he called to sponsor a course of Gemara study in his father’s memory.
When I processed his donation a short while later, however, I was puzzled to find an additional sum of money included.
So I called Rabbi L. and asked him to explain.
To Help a Fellow Jew
“I’d like to make an extra donation,” Rabbi L. explained, “in the merit of any Jewish soul that has nobody else to do this kindness for him. Use it to help a fellow Jew in need.”
Less than a week later, I received a phone call from a student in a local kollel who told me of the upcoming yahrtzeit of his cousin, who passed away the previous year in his early twenties under very tragic circumstances. Due to severe life challenges, this troubled Jew had taken his own life; and because of the circumstances involved, many of the conventional activities usually performed in memory of a loved one were not done.
As the first yahrtzeit approached, this student badly wanted to do something meaningful in the merit of the niftar but was only capable of sponsoring a small portion of Torah study. He felt strongly, however, that he wanted to do more for the neshamah of his unfortunate relative. He was calling to ask if there was any way we could help.
An Unexpected Connection
When I heard the story and the family’s wishes, I knew that we had found a perfect recipient for Rabbi L.’s donation. Immediately, the money was earmarked for Mishnah study in the merit of the young man.
The next step was to contact Rabbi L. and inform him of the turn of events. “We found the perfect recipient for the donation,” I told him happily. “The money was used as a zechus for a young man who passed away under trying circumstances. His first yahrtzeit took place just a few days after you sent your donation.”
Rabbi L. was quiet for a moment. It was clear that he was moved. Then he replied slowly, “Yes, it really was a perfect recipient. You don’t even know how perfect. You see, that young man was my next-door neighbor.”
One Jew caring for another; two neshamahs inexplicably intertwined. And that is how the Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah Sponsorship program was born.
