It took time to understand just how deeply 14-year-old Uri* was suffering. He tried desperately to keep his pain hidden.
A family’s sudden collaspe
Both of Uri’s parents worked long hours to provide a happy, stable life for their children. But when the Israeli war broke out, his self-employed father’s small business soon collapsed—making him an economic casualty of the conflict. While serving months on end in his IDF Reserve unit, Uri’s father was absent. As the mounting pressure proved too much for his mother to bear, the family spiraled into poverty.
Uri’s truth comes to light
“Uri never complained,” recalls Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz, principal of Boys Town Jerusalem (BTJ) Junior High. “We only became aware of the crisis when his tuition payments began to bounce. Our social worker visited Uri’s home and found heartbreaking conditions—severe poverty and almost no food whatsoever.”
Supporters stepped in to help
Thanks to the generosity of BTJ donors worldwide, the school immediately stepped in to support Uri’s family. In addition to waiving tuition and fees for after-school activities, BTJ began providing meals and other urgently needed aid. When Uri received a stipend to attend BTJ’s renowned, fun-filled Summer Camp, his smile lit up the entire school.
Hope for the future
“Uri is a wonderful, well-liked student who absolutely enjoyed every moment of camp,” Rabbi Rosencrantz shared. “His determination to succeed in school is now stronger than ever. “We are deeply grateful to our donors for responding to Uri’s desperate needs. With record numbers of BTJ students facing poverty, this lifesaving support empowers our boys to overcome hardship to contribute their skills and devotion to Israel and the Jewish world.”
*Name and details changed for privacy reasons
*AI Image used for illustrative purposes only