Over $118,000 raised for Yeshivat Shalshelet since the beginning of Chanukah.

(Courtesy of Yeshivat Shalshelet) Chanukah may be over, but its themes of overcoming obstacles, celebrating unexpected strengths, and building the resilience it takes to succeed continue to hit close to home at Yeshivat Shalshelet.

Our students, who have language-based learning differences, have often felt they could not succeed in a mainstream classroom or within our heavily text-based Jewish world. Due to the generosity of community-minded individuals, their lives have been changed forever.

In just a few months, we have seen dramatic changes in our students’ attitudes toward their own abilities, strengths and potential. This is the positive impact a gift to Yeshivat Shalshelet makes.

“Learning in one language can sometimes be difficult, let alone in two,” said Jenn Bieler, whose daughter Chaya is a Shalshelet fifth-grade student. “And children with language-based learning differences may then lose interest in Jewish subjects and Judaism in general because it’s such a struggle. And now we have a place where they can stay connected.”

The strength of our greater community has made opening the first yeshiva day school for students with language-based learning differences possible. We have seen what happens when one candle lights another, and we all burn brighter as a result. Since the beginning of Chanukah, we have raised over $118,000 in our first-ever community fundraising campaign! “We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity we’ve seen,” said Shulamit Roth, head of school.

We are so moved by the support from our community that we are extending our campaign through December 31. It’s not too late to join your community and ensure that even more children can be confident learners and feel connected to Judaism.

Language-based learning differences are an individual challenge, but you can be part of the community solution!

Visit shalshletnj.org/community to watch Shalshelet in action and make your gift before year-end.