How the Bereishis is Quietly Saving Jewish Children

by Eli Baker

In Crown Heights, a revolution is taking place. It isn’t happening in a storefront or a public hall, but in the private, often painful spaces where families struggle with mental health.

Usually, building a community institution takes years of slow growth. But the Bereishis Foundation has defied that. In just a few months, this organization has erupted from a singular idea into a must-have lifeline, delivering over 300 funded therapy sessions, facilitating 3,000 interactions, and creating a network of 127+ therapists to lower their cost per session.

A new comprehensive report reveals how Bereishis is disrupting the standard model of Chesed to save the children of the “Gap Families.”

The “Gap Family” Crisis

We all know them. They are our neighbors, our friends, perhaps even ourselves.

The report identifies the Foundation’s core demographic as the “Gap Family.” These are households earning a respectable income (median $5,500/month), who, by national standards, are middle class. But in the unique ecosystem of Crown Heights with the non-negotiable costs of Yeshiva tuition, Kosher food, and housing near shul they are living on a razor’s edge.

These families are too “rich” to qualify for Medicaid or government programs, but they simply cannot afford the going rate of private therapy, which ranges from $200 to $350 a session. When a crisis hits, whether it’s an eating disorder, severe anxiety, or trauma. Parents are faced with an impossible choice: pay the rent/tuition, or pay for their child’s mental health.

Too often, the therapy stops. The Bereishis Foundation was created to ensure it doesn’t have to.

A “Bank You Don’t Have to Pay Back”

What makes Bereishis unique is its focus on dignity and efficiency.

Unlike traditional funds that require parents to pay upfront and seek reimbursement, a cash-flow nightmare for struggling families, Bereishis acts as a direct payment rail. They pay the therapists directly via bank transfer.

“It removes the shame,” one community activist noted. “The parents don’t have to handle the money. The therapist gets paid. The child gets help. It allows the focus to remain entirely on healing.”

This model has convinced over 127 therapists to join the network, many agreeing to significantly lower their rates because they believe in the mission.

A Coalition of Care

The Foundation’s rapid ascent hasn’t happened in a vacuum. It is powered by a “Coalition of Philanthropy” that includes some big names in Crown Heights.

Support from the Rubashkin, Boymelgreen, and Raskin families has given the organization a powerful seal of approval. The partnership with Neshamos highlighted by Azriel Boymelgreen’s raw and courageous appearance on the Neshamos Podcast helped shatter the stigma, signaling to the community that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Furthermore, the organization operates on a Dual-Fund Model:

– Fund A (The Machine): Covers all admin and overhead, fully secured by the Founder through June 2026.

– Fund B (The Mission): 100% of community donations go directly to paying for therapy sessions.

When you donate, your dollar goes to a child, not an electricity bill.

The Call for 33 Pillars

Despite the massive success, the need is overwhelming. The Foundation is currently caring for 33 active cases involving severe challenges ranging from eating disorders to suicidal ideation. The demand is so high that for every child receiving help, nearly two are on a waiting list.

While the administrative side is secure, the “Mission Fund” relies on volatile monthly donations. To stabilize the care for these 33 children, the Foundation is launching an urgent campaign.

They are seeking 33 Sponsors to commit to $100 a week ($400 a month).

The math is simple: One sponsor at this level effectively “adopts” one child’s entire therapy regimen. It creates a safety net that ensures a child’s treatment isn’t interrupted by a slow fundraising month.

The name “Bereishis” means “Beginning.” For over 300 sessions, this Foundation has given our children a new beginning. Now, they are asking the community to ensure the work can continue.

To join the Rubashkins, Boymelgreens, and Raskins in this vital work, and to become one of the 33 pillars saving a local child, visitwww.bereishisfoundation.org/donate