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This was the feeling of the children of Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami, as they swung into action to respond to the physical and spiritual needs of their brothers and sisters in Israel as they attempted to recover from the unrelenting missile attacks during the summer. “Operation Binyan” was created with the hope of aiding the families in Northern Israel, who absorbed much of these attacks, and helping them rebuild their lives and their communities. Israelis in Haifa, Tzfas, and Nahariya saw their homes, synagogues, schools and places of work destroyed, while thousands were sent to the hospital with injuries.

When a brother or sister is in need, their family is there.

This was the feeling of the children of Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami, as they swung into action to respond to the physical and spiritual needs of their brothers and sisters in Israel as they attempted to recover from the unrelenting missile attacks during the summer. “Operation Binyan” was created with the hope of aiding the families in Northern Israel, who absorbed much of these attacks, and helping them rebuild their lives and their communities. Israelis in Haifa, Tzfas, and Nahariya saw their homes, synagogues, schools and places of work destroyed, while thousands were sent to the hospital with injuries.

According to Rabbi Yaakov Garfinkel, 4th grade teacher and organizer of the project, the 275 children of Lubavitch Elementary School pledged to do all they could to help get the citizens of Northern Israel back on their feet. And, because the Lubavitcher Rebbe once referred to Miami once as the “Jerusalem of the Diaspora,” the children felt an even greater connection to their Israeli brethren. The close proximity to the High Holy Days caused them to take inspiration from the words in the machzor–“Teshuvah, Tefilah, and Tzedaka will remove severity of decree.” The children set out to act on all three of these concepts on behalf of those suffering in Israel.

1. Teshuvah (repentance) – The children took upon themselves resolutions to increase in the performance of good deeds.
2. Tefilah (prayer) – On Rosh Hashana students resolved to spend as much time as possible on reciting Tehillim (psalms).
3. Tzedaka (charity) In the weeks prior to Rosh Hashanah, the students signed up sponsors to pledge a specified sum of money for every chapter Psalm recited.

The response to Operation Binyan was overwhelming. To date over $15,000 has been raised from a sponsorship of a total of 12,456 chapters of Tehillem recited by the students, with many of them completing the entire book. In the end, it was a very meaningful Rosh Hashana–for the Miami children and the Jews in Israel—as the good deeds of one positively affect another.

The funds will be distributed throughout the areas of Haifa, Nahariya, and Tzfas through organizations that have been established for that purpose. People are invited to participate in this effort with personal contributions to Operation Binyan, c/o Lubavitch Educational Center, 17330 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami 33169. For further information on Operation Binyan and the activities and educational programs of Lubavitch Community Schools, one can go to the school’s web site at LECFL.com.

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17 Comments

  • im broke

    Go Levi Rosenfeld!!!
    how much money did you raise when you said the Tehillim six times????
    I am very poud of you. i’m sure you really made a difference to the people in Israel!

  • Impressed...

    The Miami children really gave it their all!!! Boys in second grade even said the entire tehilem!!!
    CHasideshe Nachas, MIAMI!!!!

  • from fl

    yakov you carck me up…you always do these projets…good for you! keep up the good work…your students love you!

  • Great Job

    Great Job Yackov, you make the Rebbe proud!!! Just keep up the hard work and you’ll make!!

  • MAGID...

    Wow! Thats incredible! the North will be rebuilt in no time!

    a magid always listens to repeat…
    KSIVA VCHASIMA TOVA!

  • Wow!

    KSIVA vchasima tova!
    I hope both parties involved are keeping their part of the deal, cuz it can get difficult…..

  • Wowed...

    Sometimes (as the rebbe says in a sicha) you need to twist Hashems hand by "TRACHT(en) GUT, and automatically VET ZEIN GUT"
    I know it could be hard but KEEP UP THE "WORK" NORTH MIAMI!
    Next time it should be ten x ten that amount!

  • Very Impressed

    Wow Levi Rosenfeld! You are amazing. How old are you? I can’t believe a kid in elementary school can say the whole tehillim 6 times! I don’t know many adults who could do that. Amazing from the rest of the kids too! Go Miami!