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By: Frimet Blum

Close to six hundred widows in Eretz Yisroel and the United States will receive large checks from�Mesamche Lev this week. The checks are part of the organization’s efforts to alleviate the burden faced�by women raising their children alone, and will go a long way towards filling their homes with simchas�Yom Tov.

The women always carry a huge burden, but the month of Tishrei is particularly challenging. They must�lead the Yom Tov meals, take their children to Tashlich and Kapparos, and make sure their Sukkah is up�and decorated. Many have not yet recovered from the trauma of being widowed, and are dealing with�crushing grief and brokenhearted children. All this is in addition to the typical duties of cooking and�housekeeping for a month-long string of Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim; a burden that is demanding even�under normal circumstances.

Yet it is the financial stress that often causes the most anguish. When orphans can’t get new clothing, or�a woman can’t buy food or household necessities for Yom Tov, their pain is exacerbated. That is why�Mesamche Lev goes to great lengths to ensure that widows have extra funds for Yom Tov.

Ever since Harav Zalman Ashkenazi, zatzal, founded Mesamche Lev over forty years ago, the�organization has worked tirelessly to bring joy to widows and orphans. Harav Ashkenazi, zatzal, had a�special place in his heart for widows and orphans. He felt their loneliness and pain, understood their�challenges, and dedicated his life to relieving their burden. The Tishrei check distribution is one of�several programs that were established to help the women during their most difficult times.

Originally serving families only in Eretz Yisroel, in recent years, Mesamche Lev has expanded the�program to serve American widows. This Tishrei, four hundred forty two widows in Eretz Yisroel and one�hundred eighty five widows in the US will receive checks. The checks will benefit close to four thousand�orphans. The families will receive large amounts that make a significant difference. Many of the women�have come to depend on Mesamche Lev to get them through Yom Tov.

“I don’t worry about buying my children clothing and shoes for Yom Tov,” says Rivka, a Brooklyn mother�of seven. “For the past few years, the Mesamche Lev check covered a large part of our Yom Tov clothing�costs. That is such a big thing for me, because my children already feel different than their friends, and�they absolutely must fit in. I don’t know what I would do without Mesamche Lev’s help.” The sentiment�is shared among other Mesamche Lev recipients, who watch their mailboxes each Tishrei and Nissan.

The widow checks are a major part of Mesamche Lev’s massive Yom Tov chalukah; a distribution that�provides meat and groceries coupons to some eleven thousand families in Eretz Yisroel. The checks, as�well as the meat and groceries coupons, were sponsored by generous donors in the US and abroad.

Mesamche Lev’s Tishrei budget is close to one and a half million dollars. That number includes a deposit�on the forty two thousand pairs of shoes that will be distributed before Pesach.

Mesamche Lev is endorsed by leading rabbonim in Eretz Yisroel and around the world. Yet the most�treasured endorsements are the letters and silent accolades of five hundred ninety three almonos who�will celebrate Zeman Simchasainu with joy, and thank Mesamche Lev for Bringing Simcha to Life for�them and their children.

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