A home that was never safe

“Jared is one of the most likable boys in his class,” Rabbi Rosencrantz explains. “But his home life is an absolute nightmare.” From the time his parents divorced when he was very young, Jared has split his time between their homes. Now, both parents have remarried and started new families. “Neither home is stable, and tragically, neither family wants Jared to be part of their lives.”

That frigid morning, Jared poured out his heart to the principal. What he described was devastating. His father had become violent, beating him without warning. Recently, his mother injured him as well.

A safe haven at Boys Town Jerusalem

“We immediately brought our social worker to be with Jared, as we contacted the Jerusalem Child Welfare authorities. All of us are working urgently and together to protect this boy’s physical safety and emotional wellbeing.”

Arrangements are now underway for Jared to move into the safety of the Boys Town Jerusalem dormitory. Thanks to generous overseas donors, he is able to enjoy special after-school activities and tuition-free studies. Just as critically, the three wholesome, homecooked meals served daily on campus – meals that all BTJ students receive – are proving to be a vital lifeline.

Building a secure and meaningful future

“We will do everything in our power to protect Jared and to give him the emotional support he needs to build a secure, meaningful future,” Rabbi Rosencrantz declares.

*Name changed for privacy reasons

*AI image used to protect identity

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After over two years of war, Your Boys are traumatized.

Every teacher keeps saying the same thing: we are now seeing the effects of war on these boys. 

Your Boys are anxious, they jump at loud noises, some are not sleeping, others are having panic attacks. 

With the current war, these problems are only going to get worse.

 

They need YOU to help them heal

You can support a new program at BTJ designed to improve Your Boys’ emotional well-being.

This new program will focus on counseling for emotional well-being, tutoring to help each boy learn, and therapeutic outings and hikes designed to regulate their trauma response. 

The post Your Boys Need Your Help appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

A family legacy of courage

Asher and Lior’s greatgrandfather, Asher Zelig Polski, was in his early 20s when the Nazis invaded Poland. Sentenced to a forced labor camp in 1942, he hastily packed several essentials – including his tefillin – into a small suitcase. The suitcase was immediately confiscated upon his arrival. Devastated, Asher miraculously managed to “ransom” the precious tefillin at the cost of two full days of his starvation rations. Against unimaginable odds, the tefillin became secretly used each day by nearly 200 prisoners who risked their lives to pray.

Survival and renewal

In 1944, Asher was transferred to the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. He barely survived the brutal death march before Germany’s defeat the following year. By 1949, Asher, his wife, and baby daughter left a Displaced Persons camp in Germany to immigrate to Baltimore. His steadfast piety – and his treasured tefillin – became an inspiration for generations to come.

Connecting Torah and tradition

This year, Asher (named for his greatgrandfather) and Lior’s family immigrated to Israel from the USA. As their Bar Mitzvah approached, the twins prepared to read parshat Bo, the Torah portion in which tefillin is first mentioned. Moved by that connection, their mother – Asher’s granddaughter – sought to mark the occasion by donating new sets of tefillin to boys in need. She chose Boys Town Jerusalem.

Walking in their great-grandfather’s path

“We depend on generous supporters to help provide new, quality tefillin to our many students from impoverished homes,” noted Rabbi Daniel Loew. “It’s so inspiring that Asher and Lior are walking in their great grandfather’s path by giving tefillin to BTJ students.”

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BTJ creates new “psychopedagogical” support program

“So many students are showing clear emotional distress signals for help,” he notes. “Boys from single parent homes are struggling the most. To meet the challenge, we brought in a top expert to guide our staff – and later the parents – to create a broad “psychopedagogical” support program. We are determined to give students the tools and confidence to gain strength.”

Focusing on emotion instead of grades

The psychopedagogical program focuses primarily on students’ emotional status, not their marks. “Our teachers are receiving ongoing training to help them better understand and respond to students’ emotional needs,” Principal Charazi explains. “Every student receives an evaluation and a personalized learning plan – whether he has learning challenges or is academically advanced. We’re aiming to strengthen each student’s motivation, study habits, focus, and selfconfidence.”

It’s a team effort to implement this new program

Teachers work closely with families, guided by BTJ’s Social Services Department team of psychologists, social workers, and therapists. Outside the classroom, students are also planting and tending a therapeutic garden on campus, offering comfort and healing. As Principal Charazi pioneers the ambitious psychopedagogical support effort, he proudly stresses the therapeutic value of BTJ’s ever-growing Community Service program. “No matter how hard a boy’s life is, he gains strength and self-esteem from helping others.”

*Name and details have been changed for privacy reasons

*Image is AI to protect the identity of the child

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Searching for direction at a critical age

Now 15, Zach struggles to express his emotions. He has no close friends and is constantly searching for direction. Yet, at Boys Town Jerusalem, his teachers and therapists are working closely with him, carefully guiding him toward greater emotional resilience and stronger social skills.

Individualized support

“Zach is in a small Special Education class where he receives a great deal of personal attention,” explains therapist Hadas Knopf. “We focus on giving Zach and his classmates the social skills, thinking strategies, and self-esteem that will strengthen their abilities and build their confidence.” Hadas notes that the absence of a male role model can be both painful and damaging for teenage boys like Zach. “Absent fathers also include those who are emotionally distant from their sons,” she adds.

Building confidence through therapy and coaching

At Boys Town Jerusalem, social workers and therapists are providing Zach, and many others, with the support and therapeutic tools needed to build self-worth and define personal goals. “We are arranging for a ‘coach’ to work closely with Zach, and we’re using creative therapies to help boost his confidence and self-esteem,” Hadas says.

Finding strength in giving back

Beyond the classroom, Zach and his peers are enthusiastically participating in Boys Town Jerusalem’s wide-ranging Community Service program, volunteering their time to help those in need. “For every student, giving of himself is the most empowering therapy of all,” Hadas emphasizes.

*Name and details have been changed for privacy reasons

*Image is AI to protect the identity of the child

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“The perfect choice for team captain”

“The entire team agreed that Amichai knows everything about robotics and believes that anything is possible,” says team advisor Shay Neuhaus. “He’s the perfect choice for FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) team captain, despite being the youngest member.”

A natural engineer from the very beginning

Amichai readily admits that robotics has always been part of him. “Even as a little kid, I’d look at something—like the doors on a bus—and imagine how I would build them differently,” he recalls. “When I joined the extracurricular FLL (FIRST Lego League) Robotics Team in 7th grade, I was fascinated by mechanics and coding. On my very first day of learning, I started teaching.”

Learning, teaching, and leading as a team

The following year, he became the youngest member ever to join the school’s FTC team. “Robotics involves constant learning,” he explains. “Building a robot requires tremendous teamwork in planning, coding, and mechanics. As captain, my job is to help every team member give his maximum.”

Last year, Amichai and his teammates proudly celebrated BTJ’s second-place finish out of 41 teams in the 2025 Israeli FTC Robotics Competition, along with the prestigious Innovate Award for robot design. “We won because our robot was totally unique. The key is ingenuity and simplicity.” Amichai salutes the crucial role of the school’s 3-D printer in the team’s success. “We design and produce about 40% of our robot’s parts right here.”

Giving back beyond the competition

As the team spends countless days and nights in BTJ’s Follender Robotics Center, Amichai is especially proud that they also volunteer to mentor new robotics teams across Jerusalem. “We all want to give of ourselves and contribute to the future.”

The post BTJ’s Youngest Robotics Captain Leads the Future appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

“Please, Rabbi,” he whispered anxiously, “before we leave, could you give me a 10-shekel ($3.00) coin for the snack machine? I couldn’t ask my mom. She’d start crying again. We have no money for food at all.”

Aaron’s family has been in crisis for a while

Aaron’s father is suffering from a severe illness. At the same time, Aaron, his mother, and siblings are struggling with the traumatic collapse of their family. Alongside the emotional turmoil, they’ve been plunged into poverty. His father’s business has failed, and his mother’s modest salary as a secretary cannot begin to cover the family’s needs.

How Boys Town Jerusalem stepped in

When the administration learned of Aaron’s devastating home situation, Boys Town Jerusalem immediately took steps to ease the family’s financial burden. “We waived all fees for Aaron’s tuition and after-school activities,” Rabbi Rosencrantz noted. “Our social workers are working diligently to strengthen Aaron’s emotional resilience.”

When hunger became visible

Yet it was only on the morning of the field trip that the principal realized the family had no food at all. “I was reminded once again of the critical importance of the plentiful, freshly cooked, nourishing meals BTJ provides every student each school day— thanks to the generous support of our donors worldwide. No matter how poverty-stricken their families may be, our students receive the priceless, lifesaving gift of nutritious, tasty meals.”

“We’re at Aaron’s side during these very difficult times, supporting him through the painful struggles he faces,” Rabbi Rosencrantz emphasized.

*name and details changed to protect privacy

The post Aaron’s Whisper appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

Ori’s family crisis and emotional struggles

Ori’s brother was diagnosed with a rare, debilitating form of cancer, and since then, the family has been living a nightmare. “As Ori’s parents began taking his brother to specialists around the world in search of a cure, both his father and mother lost their jobs, plunging the family into poverty,” explains Boys Town Jerusalem Principal Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz. “Ori has suffered severe emotional trauma, which has also affected his academic progress. Now we’ve placed him in a small Special Education class where he receives more focused attention, care, and love.”

How BTJ is supporting Ori though the hardest times

The BTJ community has stepped in to support Ori’s family in their time of distress. “Thanks to generous donors worldwide, we immediately waived Ori’s tuition and began sending food packages to the family,” Rabbi Rosencrantz shares. “We’re now providing Ori with expanded after-school activities, all at no cost, to help provide structure and companionship.” Most importantly, Boys Town Jerusalem’s dedicated social services team is working intensively to strengthen Ori’s emotional resilience and help him face the challenges of today—and tomorrow.

Standing with Ori as he faces an uncertain future

“As Ori endures the growing anguish and uncertainty that weigh on his family, his Boys Town Jerusalem family stands firmly at his side,” Rabbi Rosencrantz affirms. “We continue to pray for his brother’s full recovery and for Ori and his loved ones to regain strength, hope, and joy.”

The post Ori’s Shattered World appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

The Sea-to-Sea trek offers opportunity

Each day began at 5 AM for nine hours of hiking through the rugged terrain. For BTJ Dean Rabbi Meir Linchner, this marked his 16th Sea-to-Sea trek since he initiated the endeavor. “These three challenging days offer a rare opportunity to connect with each student and to share unforgettable experiences.”

Nearly 100 students completed the hike

BTJ High School Principal Avichai Charazi proudly noted that nearly 100 students, including those from a Special Education class, completed the long-anticipated trek.

“Climbing up and down steep cliffs for three days was tough,” 16-year-old Uriel Vaknin admitted. “We’re all different, but together we did the impossible!”

This year’s trek was in memory of Noam Masgadian

This year’s trek, held shortly after the Gaza ceasefire and Noam Masgadian’s death, carried special weight. “There was a palpable sense of strength, of determination and meaning,” Principal Charazi reflected. “Our boys walked each step with trust and their heads held high.”

Fallen soldier Noam’s family hiked with the boys

Dedicating this year’s Sea-to-Sea trek to Noam Masgadian, who graduated BTJ just two years ago, deeply moved both the students and Noam’s family who joined them.

“Noam’s father and brother hiked along with us, and his mother and siblings met us as we reached the finish line,” shared Uriel Vaknin. “I carried a flag with Noam’s picture the entire way. I know he was with us – we weren’t alone.”

“My student Noam Masgadian’s photo is the most recent one on my desk,” Principal Charazi said quietly. “May he be our last graduate to fall.”

The post A Triumphant Trek and a Loving Tribute appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

Supporters gave the family hope

Yet, “angels” from around the world have stepped in to offer these boys the gift of a lifetime. “I could hardly hold back my tears when Abe’s mother first came to register him at Boys Town Jerusalem,” recalls registrar Rachel Cohen-Pur. “Her story of poverty and family strife was heartbreaking. She pleaded for a chance to give her oldest son a better future.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Abe received a full scholarship. In time, Shimon and Eliezer followed, each earning full scholarships of their own, plus free dormitory, after- school activities, and much more. “Each of these boys is truly special,” Rachel says with pride. “They take their studies seriously and excel. They’re popular, well-liked, and radiate confidence and hope.”

Breaking the cycle of poverty

“Abe, Shimon and Eliezer—like so many Boys Town Jerusalem students—are being given the tools to break the cycle of poverty that has shadowed their lives,” explains CEO Yoni Strimber. “Our high-level education equips boys with top academic and technological skills, grounded in Jewish ethics and values. These brothers will join the hundreds of BTJ graduates who greatly contribute to Israel’s technological, commercial, military, and educational sectors.”

Every donations beings hope for the future

“Today, poverty levels are at a record high,” Strimber adds. “Two years of war have taken a painful emotional and economic toll on our students’ families. The generous support of our donors is an invaluable gift—empowering our students to build brighter futures.”

*Names changed to protect privacy

*picture is AI and used for illustrative purposes only

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