Top Rabbi Raises Millions for Needy Families Amid Budget Crisis
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch of the Eda Haredit successfully raised nearly $3 million from a small group of donors to resolve a budget crisis for needy families in Beit Shemesh. The funds will ensure support for both long-time residents and those in the rapidly growing Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet neighborhood during the High Holidays.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Sternbuch secured $3 million for needy families.
- The funds resolved a budget crisis for the High Holidays.
- Rapid growth in Beit Shemesh caused the financial strain.
- Donors contributed $500,000 each to the emergency fund.
A severe budget crisis threatening to leave thousands of families without support during the High Holidays has been resolved at the last minute, thanks to a personal appeal by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, the presiding rabbinical judge of the Eda Haredit. A group of wealthy donors responded to his request, contributing nearly $3 million to establish an emergency fund.
The crisis stemmed from rapid construction and population growth in the city of Beit Shemesh, particularly in the Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet neighborhood, which now houses over 10,000 families. This expansion presented local charity organizations with a difficult choice: reduce aid to long-time residents or cease support for newcomers due to insufficient funds.
Faced with this impasse, city rabbis consulted Rabbi Sternbuch. He decisively ruled that a solution must be found to assist residents of Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet as well. Following this directive, Rabbi Sternbuch urgently contacted a select group of businessmen and philanthropists close to his court.
In an exceptional display of generosity, each contacted donor contributed approximately $500,000. These contributions collectively provided the necessary funding to fully support all needy families in the city, averting the crisis.
