Swipe. You just made a donation to another nonprofit organization. (Baruch Hashem, our community has so many of them that are doing lifesaving, critical work!)
But have you ever wondered what the impact of your gift is? How does your hard-earned money directly impact another individual, or many individuals, in a tangible way?
We at the Aleph Institute wanted to pull back the curtain and give you an insider’s view into how donations are channeled into practical aid for the people who depend on our services.
But first, a little background if you’re new to our work: Aleph was founded in 1981 by Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar at the express direction of the Rebbe. Aleph is dedicated to assisting people in institutional environments, including prisons and the military. Aleph addresses their religious, educational, and spiritual needs, advocates for their civil and religious rights, and supports their families left at home to fend for themselves.
Here’s a simpler way to describe what Aleph does: We ensure that nobody is alone or forgotten, even in the most isolated prison cell or remote military base.
Back to the impact you make when you donate to Aleph. Let’s break this down:
$180 Donation:
$180 covers the costs of the car, gas, and food for one volunteer to travel to a prison and visit the incarcerated men and women there. Aleph coordinates hundreds of visits to prisons around the country, throughout the year and on every Jewish holiday as well. For many incarcerated people who have no family or friends, these visits are a lifeline, the highlight of their year, and their sole connection to the outside world.
One man wrote about a visit he received on Chanukah: “For the first time since I started my sentence, I felt free of my surroundings, free to sing, dance, and celebrate Chanukah like a real Jew. Thank you for bringing us this true happiness.”
$360 Donation:
$360 sponsors one month of kosher meals for a Jew serving on a military base. Aleph proudly supports our soldiers who serve on the front lines. We supply religious items, Jewish educational programs, holiday services, mentorship for Jewish chaplains and lay leaders, and various other social services to build the Jewish military community. Our work ensures that members of the armed forces have everything they need to be able to serve G-d and connect with a community while serving their country with courage.
One marine wrote to us: “It means the world to us when we see how much you care, how much you do back home to get these supplies to us. It strengthens us beyond anything you can imagine. We are fighting for our country’s physical freedom and you are sending spiritual freedom.”
$1,800 Donation:
$1,800 enables a child with a parent in prison to attend a Jewish summer camp. Often called the “hidden victims” of incarceration, children with a parent in prison face stigma, bullying, and familial dysfunction all year long. To give these kids a sense of normalcy and belonging, Aleph’s Family Services Department has sent nearly 1,000 children to Jewish summer camps over the last 10 years. It is a small window of time when both kids and parents can take a deep breath before the year begins.
One mom wrote to us: “What your generosity has done for my son will never be forgotten… When his father vanished to the hell and shame of prison, my son stood the lone athlete with no father on the sidelines to cheer him on. Camp is the only place that he can escape the pain because he doesn’t feel different there.”
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In less than two weeks, on Monday, February 27, we will be hosting our Annual Aleph Auction to raise critical funds to support Aleph’s services. Please purchase your tickets now and invite friends and family to support this lifesaving work by participating in the auction for a chance to win one of our fantastic prizes. Every ticket purchased will directly benefit someone who is isolated and alone.
For you, it’s a ticket to win. For them, it’s a ticket to hope.
