[COMMUNICATED] The rabbanim open our eyes to many things: The depth of the Torah, the gadlus of a talmid chacham, and often  – the anguish of those around us. Behind closed doors many suffer in silence.

When a family does come to its breaking point, it is often their Rav that they seek help from first. And so, the gedolim sift through stories of tragedy and heartbreak, and when a tale is particularly urgent they often address the public. Such is the case with the story brought to light by Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rav Dovid Twersky, and Rav Naftoli Nussbaum this week.

According to the rabbanim, a young father of 3 in Yerushalayim recently left for Maariv and never returned. His wife was panicked, and a search began immediately to ensure that he had not come to harm. Their tragedy was not what they feared, but something else entirely: The father had fled overseas, never to return. She had not seen this coming, and was left in a state of shock. The mother is now left to raise her 3 children alone. According to Rav Kanievsky’s letter, they are in danger of winding up on the streets:

“To our dear brothers – an urgent call to save 3 dear lives of children from Yerushalayim. Whose father left for a land over the sea, and they have been left with their mother without any support. The heavy burden of caring for the children and supporting the family have fallen on her shoulders, and they are in dire financial straits and in danger of being evicted from their home, G-d forbid – and the consequences will be devastating.

Therefore, we ask from each and every one to be a partner in this great mitzvah of saving a mother and her 3 children who are screaming for help. Whoever saves even one life from Yisrael it is as if he saved an entire world. All those who participate should merit that they, and all their generations, G-d should fulfill all their wishes for the good, and they should merit to raise their children to Torah and to marriage with health, parnassah and all good.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita

Rav Dovid Twersky shlita

Rav Naftoli Nussbaum shlita “

As is explained in the above letter, donations are being collected to help the mother keep a roof over her children’s heads. Though it may seem easy to speculate or place the blame in the case of these inconceivable events, what is agreed on across the board is that the most important thing is the health and safety of the children left behind. And for them, help is being accepted here.