Just as thirteen-year-old Avi* recently walked into the office of Boys Town Jerusalem registrar Rachel Cohen-Pur, she was happily greeting a visiting BTJ grad now serving in the IDF. For the three, a drama then began to unfold.
Avi came to register for summer camp
“I came to register for BTJ Summer Camp,” Avi told Rachel. “I brought money to pay for it,” he added, pulling out a bag of coins and bills. Knowing that Avi’s family is poverty-stricken, Rachel assured him he didn’t have to pay. “I can do it,” he persisted. “I’ve worked in a grocery store after school all year to make this money for camp.”
Someone else was looking out for Avi
At overhearing Avi’s words, the soldier discreetly slipped his credit card to Rachel to cover the camp registration cost. “Save your money, Avi,” she told the youngster. “And have a great time at Camp!” As the two left, Rachel could no longer hold back her tears.
Avi has some health issues
“Avi is one of the top students in his class,” BTJ Junior High Principal Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz notes. “Sadly, he faces not only family difficulties, but also serious illness. On a class outing, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency surgery for a sudden coronary issue.” The principal adds that the young boy’s mother is quite ill and his father is unemployed. “Despite tremendous hardships, Avi is a popular, outstanding student,” stresses Rabbi Rosencrantz.
Avi has a full scholarship to BTJ
Thanks to generous overseas donors, the cost of his tuition is fully covered, as well as his after- school activities, books, school supplies and more. “I can already imagine Avi coming back to visit Boys Town Jerusalem as a young adult, making his own contribution to help a needy boy gain the tools and confidence to succeed,” the principal mused. “Like the soldier who helped him today.”
*not his real name