During Chanukah Students Bring Joy To A fellow Jew

Lubavitch Elementary School carried out an inspiring new project in honor of a young boy named Leizer Galperin. Leizer, who is from Kiryat Malachi in Israel, was severely injured, with burns over 80% of his body, when a fire broke out last summer while the family was home.

The house was seriously damaged from the huge flames, and five-year-old Leizer was hospitalized in very critical condition. In fact his injuries were so serious, he had to be flown to a special hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio that specializes in severe burn injuries. Doctors have told Leizer’s family they expect his rehabilitation to take several years

In response to this terrible tragedy, Lubavitch Elementary School boys felt that Chanukah would be a perfect time to demonstrate their support for little Laizer and to do whatever they could to cheer him up during this “holiday of miracles.”

Leizer, who would now be in 1st grade, is still undergoing a very difficult program of physical therapy. The students came together and created a three-point project. The students would first raise money— students were asked to give of there own personal money and allowance—to present Leizer with a gift card from Toys ‘r’ Us and a gift card to a local Judaica store, where his family can purchase Jewish books for him to establish his own personal library.

Secondly, every student created a get-well card, all of which will be hung up in his hospital and therapy rooms. Finally, the students made resolutions to strengthen themselves in Torah and mitzvahs in Leizer’s honor, in return for which they asked G-d to send him a speedy recovery.

The students were filmed declaring their resolution on Leizer’s behalf, and the DVD will be sent to him.

The video is a stunning and heartfelt presentation of how much love and devotion these young Lubavitch Elementary School students have for their fellow Jews. It is indeed inspiring and impressive to see the hundreds of cards and hear the hundreds of resolutions made by the students, as well as the fact that they collected over $680. All of this for a boy they never met, who lives thousands of miles a way.

The students hope their ahavos yisroel—love of a fellow Jew—will inspire and motivate others to reach out to those who need help. It is especially auspicious during the festival of Chanukah, for just as the Chanukah menorah illuminates the darkness, every good deed sheds more light upon the world

UPDATE: A special audio hook-up was held on the 7th day of Chanukah between Leizer’s parent and the boys of Lubavitch Elementary School. In a voice laced with deep emotion, Mr. Galperin expressed his family’s sincere gratitude to each and every student for their love and concern for Leizer. Their cards and well-wishes—an expression of true ahavas yisroel—did much to boost everyone’s spirits and hopes.