Your Dollar At Work
For six extraordinary decades, Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky’s tiny apartment in Bnei Brak overflowed onto the streets of Israel with women coming from all over the world to seek her advice, blessing and support. So humble and modest was she, never ever seeking attention for herself – only for the Jews who begged for her help - it was not until her passing that it became public knowledge that she personally raised millions of dollars to help the widows and orphans of Israel who struggle every day. Without her involvement, food, shelter, healthcare, and schooling would have been out of reach for thousands of destitute families in desperate circumstances.
Rebbetzin Kanievsky’s daughter, Rebbetzin Leah Kolodetsky, also lives in Bnei Brak and she has continued her mother’s holy work by welcoming women into her home, and offering them blessing and aid, just as her mother once did. From where will the funds come to help these women, now that Rebbetzin Kanievsky is no longer here to tirelessly fundraise? That’s where your Ner Echad candle lighting dollar comes into play.
One hundred percent of every single dollar donated by Ner Echad members at candle-lighting time goes directly to the Batsheva Kanievsky Widow and Children Fund and into the hands of needy women and children across Israel.
Among the many projects being planned are:
- Catering entire weddings for brides who have no mother or father.
- Purchasing housewares and furnishings to help the young couples set up their first home.
- Arranging specialized medical & dental treatment for orphans, or other services not covered by insurance.
- Providing Shabbos & Yom Tov food vouchers that will be accepted at grocery stores throughout Israel.
- Providing new decent clothing for destitute young children and young adults.
- Developing job-training programs for widows to help them become self-sufficient.
At the urging of her father Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Rebbetzin Leah Kolodetsky has agreed to serve as chairwoman of the Batsheva Kanievsky Widow and Children Fund. A specially appointed Ner Echad Beis Din, along with a board of directors comprised of prominent women from Bnei Brak, Jerusalem and other cities, will assist her in the management and distribution of the funds to the most deserving receipients.
We hope and pray that just as Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky made a real difference in the lives and welfare of thousands of families in Israel during her lifetime, Ner Echad members will continue her hallowed lifework to bring material blessing to destitute women and children, and spiritual blessing to all Jewish people around the world.