Rabbi Shimon Galai Urges Donations for Orphaned Groom From a Struggling Family

A Bnei Brak charity worker close to the family says he has seen many hard cases over two decades, but this one, in his words, is an especially raw wound. The family’s father died 20 years ago after a prolonged illness, leaving a widow to raise three children in severe hardship. The youngest son, who was only two when his father died, grew up without any real memory of him, while his mother, described as sick and exhausted, struggled to hold the household together.

Despite those conditions, the boy found his world in the study hall. The family source says he became a remarkably learned Torah scholar through discipline and persistence. By age 10, Rabbi Shimon Galai recognized the child’s potential and began learning with him regularly, a relationship that continued for years. The groom also received close support from Rabbi Elimelech Biderman.

The family has already married off its two older daughters, but only after immense effort that drained the widow’s last savings and remaining strength. Now the youngest son is set to marry, yet the family has no money for even basic clothing, a minimal dowry, or the most elementary wedding expenses. The source says the mother has almost no one to turn to and is effectively alone.

The situation prompted Rabbi Shimon Galai to issue a rare public appeal. He asked people to help the orphaned groom get to his wedding canopy, saying, “באנו לבקש מעומקא דליבא שכל מי שיכול לעזור שהיתום היקר הזה יזכה להיכנס לחופה.” He added that helping an orphan and widow carries great merit, and he blessed donors with salvation, livelihood, children’s success, health, and long life. The appeal ends with another urgent call for donations.