Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz has stepped in once again.
With the school year just days away, an outstanding mosad for chinuch habanos in Lakewood, would be forced to close its doors because of financial issues.
Ateres Tzipora, a school with an enrollment of 180 girls in primary through eighth grade, would shutter its doors, leaving these girls and their families with nowhere to turn.
For many years, Ateres Tzipora was supported by two families whose daughters attended the school. Eventually, those girls moved on to high school and Ateres Tzipora needed to find new funding. Since then, the school has teetered. It all came to a head with the approach of this coming school year. The school would not be able to open. The fiscal challenge was just too great to overcome.
Ateres Tzipora, it should be pointed out, is not just any school. It is a student’s home away from home known for its warmth and acceptance. Ateres Tzipora menaheles Mrs. Shulamith Insel has ensured that Ateres Tzipora isn’t a cookie cutter institution, but an all-inclusive mosad that embraces every talmidah with open arms. Every girl is nurtured in order to maximize her potential, and it makes no difference what background she comes from.
Ateres Tzipora would have to stay open. But how?
Letters, emails, online posts, a charity campaign… The efforts were varied. But they were still insufficient. There was no answer.
Who would step in to save the day? Who would ensure that the 180 students could put on their uniforms, pack up their knapsacks, and hold their heads up high, knowing that they have a place to go to?
In addition to the approximately $60,000 raised since Motzei Shabbos, one person heard the cries. One person saw the tears. One person felt the anguish.
And that one person couldn’t sit by and watch.
That person, Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz, has become synonymous with philanthropy within the frum community and beyond. In fact, he has completely redefined philanthropy, breaking new ground and going where no one else has gone before in terms of his tzedakah-giving and concern for the welfare of Klal Yisroel. He is a trailblazer of historic proportions.
When Shlomo Yehuda learned of Ateres Tzipora’s imminent closure, he could not allow it to happen.
As he’s done before, Shlomo Yehuda stepped in to proclaim that he will do whatever he can.
The fact that he resides in Los Angeles, thousands of miles away, never entered the equation, because Shlomo Yehuda’s heart is so expansive that it encompasses every Jewish community across the globe. When a child is in pain, Shlomo Yehuda is in pain. When a family is in crisis, Shlomo Yehuda treats that crisis as his own.
And when a yeshiva or school is on the brink of closure, Shlomo Yehuda takes it personally. He just cannot let it happen.
Details are still being ironed out, but Shlomo Yehuda has committed himself to providing the funding to ensure that Ateres Tziporah will open for the 2018 school year in a timely fashion. He will meet with board members of the school and others to ensure that going forward, the school will be able to operate on a firm financial footing, so that it can continue to educate its precious young charges b’derech Yisroel saba.
Also noteworthy is that Ateres Tzipora has graciously agreed to take in 20 students who were slated to attend Ateres BaisYaakov, a school that recently closed. Thus, the salvation of Ateres Tziporah will ultimately provide these additional girls, under the leadership of Mrs. Insel, with the quality chinuch they deserve.
Once again, in a manifestation of heroic altruism and selflessness, and in a tremendous kiddush Hashem, ShlomoYehuda showed the power of a yochid who truly cares about Hashem and His children.
Thank you R SY Rechnitz!!
A shout out to all those who donated as well.
you wrote….”One person heard the cries. One person saw the tears. One person felt the anguish.”
Oh, really? Only ONE person???
What about all the people who already donated to the emergency campaign?
http://savetheschool.org
$62,669 raised by 625 people in three days!!!!
Please give credit to those people as well!
Thank you
mi KiAmcha Isareal
well said
now, it’s already at $63,701
A tremendous thank you to those who donated on the link these past few days!!! Every little bit added up and got us this far!
Kol Hakavod to R’ Rechnitz… stepping in to save the day from across the country when no one else took the initiative.
The one school that doesn’t discriminate. The one school that doesn’t care abt secondary concerns that dont matter but only cares that neshamos get the torah education they deserve regardless of who their parents are or arent.
The one school that will produce nashim tzidkiniyos on the girls own rights regardless of any other factors just for the sake of Hashem.
R’ Rechnitz your money will go a long way!
No one else took the initiative???????
Please visit the link below. You, too, can join the 638 people who “took the initiative” in the last three days alone!
http://www.savetheschool.org
Every person that donated was a part of this campaign. Every dollar given made this happen. Every voice counted.
Thank you all!!
AD
Amazing!
FINALLY. After that speech I was wondering when actions would finally start happening.. Otherwise what was the point?!
I cried tears reading this good news. Mr. Rechnitz and the ones that donated really exemplify ahavas chinam. I saw a number of names on the website that donated that I know. Many of them have children in other schools and have no connection to Ateres Tziporah. Mr Rechnitz surely doesn’t as well.
Perhaps the geulah is just a bit closer now for surely this ahavas chinam nullifies some sinas chinam.
And yes I must add that every single person that gave and continues to give… kol hakavod to you as well!
It is the joint effort that also makes the difference.
Your dollars however much they were will go a long strong way!
Gevaldig .
We finally created a situation where it is no longer possible for any parent to say that they have no elementary school for their daughters . I guess the Vaad that places girls into elementary school is no longer needed .
I agree people like myslef thay are not that wealthy and contributed $500 towards this school as i feel the pain of the parents.
To anyone who may have walked out of his speech, shame on all of you. Hes a jewl and not just a preacher, we should learn from him.
please dont stop your donation every penny count
hashem helps everyone when they give not only the biggest givers and thanks rabbi rechnitz for leading and teaching todays generation of how to give and give
wow this is amazing. i think it stings alittle that “we” lakewood couldnt make it happen ourselves and thats a shame but so thrilled for all the parents and girls who i am sure were going through hell!
Tears of happiness are running down my face, I don’t know what more to say.
Just imagine If all wealthy yidden would give like SY Rechnitz what Klal Yisroel would look like
I don’t know R Shlomo Yehuda personally, but those Beautiful songs he composed can only be created by somebody with a אידישע הארץ.
As a parent in the school I can attest to the caring happy ruach fostered by the exceptional staff. My little girl is so happy. She was just telling me the other day that she can’t wait for school to start because she really loves school. Mrs insel’s entire office wall is lined with letters from her students. I challenge any other school in this town to rival that. I am pretty sure there is nothing like it anywhere. Mr Rechnitz, we are grateful!
our children are all grown up but reading what Reb Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz from Los Angeles is doing for the Lakewood schools is unbelievable as I am reading this I type and I cry. Of course many thanks should also go to the people from Lakewood that gave money. I personally especially like the fact that the school does not discriminate against girls that come from non frum families, I know of many families that were not frum at all but when their children started attending frum schools the parents themselves became frum also, Sometimes this helps
to bring generations to Yidishkeit, Reb Rechnitz you should always be on the giving side, You are a real TZADIK. This old Jewish Bubbie would really be happy if she could meet you sometimes in Person, I do know its a big chutzpah from my side. All the best to klall Yisroel. Sincerely Bubbie Zelda.
Shlomo Yehudah, you are the the successor of Moshe Reichman. He was in the last century, and you are in this century. He saved one mosed after another when time weren’t doing great, and so are you. Kedus!!
G-d bless Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz.
He will go down in history along with Mike Tress, Rabbi sherer etc.
S.Y. you are underrated. We need more people like you. Hatzlacha
S.Y. you are underrated. We need more people like you. Hatzlacha.
That’s called putting his money where his mouth is. I met this man once and he is the most humble unassuming fellow you’ve ever met. You would never think that he is someone who can use dollars as toilet paper. I’m a little nobody and he had a simple conversation with me for 10 min. About nothing important and he treated me as if he had all the time in the world and nothing else more important to do. Money is for those that know what to do with it.
Shlomo and ALL the donors you’re the best!!! You never cease to amaze!!! You’re a huge inspiration to me!!! Hashem should give you everything good for ever and ever!!!!
Wow!!! Thank you, Mr. Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz! This is remarkable!! Kol Hakovod to all that opened their hearts & gave to this incredible Mosad! I’m sure the fact that people came together & donated is what brought awareness to Mr. Rechnitz to save AT from closing. It would break my heart if this school closed down. Lakewood needs Ateres Tzipora! Mrs. Insel is the most loving, caring & hands on principal. My daughter is truly blessed to be able to have her in her life! I’m crying tears of joy! Hodu Lashem Ki Tov! May Hashem Bentch Mr. Rechnitz & all the donors for their kindness!!
Wow!!! Thank you, Mr. Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz! This is remarkable!! Kol Hakovod to all that opened their hearts & gave to this incredible Mosad! I’m sure the fact that people came together & donated is what brought awareness to Mr. Rechnitz to save AT from closing. It would break my heart if this school closed down. Lakewood needs Ateres Tzipora! Mrs. Insel is the most loving, caring & hands on principal. My daughter is truly blessed to be able to have her in her life! I’m crying tears of joy! Hodu Lashem Ki Tov! May Hashem Bentch Mr. Rechnitz & all the donors for their kindness!!
Baruch Hashem. Terrific News. No how about we start adressing the 60 girls who have no high school yet. My daughter is one of them.
our wish is that ateres tzipora start a high school as well. They would do a fantastic job.
To concerned parent.
As a concerned parent, I think you should be part of the” we” that you refer to. Unlike elementary schools ,there is a very large shortage of high school slots . There was already a big shortage for the last several years. In addition we keep adding almost 200 additional eighth graders every year . This year one new high school opened with capacity for one class of 30 .There are about 25 girls elementary schools and only 8 high schools .That does not take care of 200 additional students .Have the parents tried to fund raise to open a new school? High schools are much more expensive and complex to fund and run than elementary schools .There would be qualified people willing to open new high schools if they were assured that the funding was there to cover the deficits not covered by tuition. Nobody has stepped forward yet with such a financial commitment .
Thank you R`rechnitz and everyone who donated money to our amazing school ateres Tzipora!
We moved into Lakewood almost a year ago, and ateres Tzipora was the such a welcoming school.
Sadly we weren’t as lucky to find a boys school like ateres Tzipora for our 11 yr old son who has a bit of a learning problem. we have called every possible person and School but everyone just tell us to put him in self contained or Public school,he does not belong in either he is as normal
To concerned Parent
Are you willing to go to any of the high schools in town or are there any that you will not accept ?
I hope Ateres Tziporah starts a high school asap as there is a big need for an open accepting good girls high school.
Yesodos hs is amazing!!!1
Yesodos is a great high school.I think they were pretty full also but were willing to make a parallel class if needed . Concerned parent ,did your daughter apply to Yesodos?
attention steve and gerry. Let me inform you of certain facts.
1.) we applied to where the maneles of my daughter’s elementary school told us to apply to. I assume you realize you don’t know the girl better than her maneles right?
2.) I see you wish to place all blame on the victimized parents who only wish their duaghter to attend school. it’s all our fault for not making more schools. Guess what?
I work a job which has me away from lakewood for a minimum of 11-12 hours per day. We are not making ends meet., I have a heart condition as well as yena machala. You will excuse me but I am not in any position to start a school. Please stop slamming the parents who are left out of the school system. You do not know whats going on in someone else’s house.