Send Ahava To Israel!!!

“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget itself.” This famous verse from the Book of Psalms resonates with Jews from across the globe who long to be in Jerusalem, the international capital for Jews worldwide. Jerusalem, which lays in the center of the country of Israel, was the home for many of us for a year or two as we went to seminary or yeshiva post-high school. It was a time for introspection, growth and connecting to the Almighty. Many of us wish that we could’ve been in Israel for more time, but we sometimes forget to realize that there are those of us who still long to go to seminary - even if it isn’t directly after high school.

If you have kept reading, shkoyach! and welcome to the GoFundMe page to send the most amazing girl, Ahava (Alex) Sherman to Machon Alte, a seminary in Tzfat, Israel, this upcoming summer! With your help, you can help to make the seminary experience possible for - without exaggeration - one of the most deserving people in the entire world.

There are few people in this world that embody what it means to be a tzadeikes (a righteous person) more than Ahava Leah Sherman. From the moment I met her last August until this very day, she ceases to surprise me with her fervor and passion for both Judaism and life, as well as her love for every single person - no matter who they are or what they stand for. Every single person who meets Ahava is truly a lucky one as they are part of an exclusive club where, at its center, someone very special is constantly caring for them and their well being.  With a big heart and a loving nature, Ahava (whose name means “love” in Hebrew) makes each and every person in her life feel like they are the most important person in the entire world.

And despite everything else going on around her, Ahava is alway positive - even though life hasn’t always been the easiest for her. Ahava is a ba’alas teshuva, whose journey began in public school at age 14. Becoming religious is hard enough, but at age 15, Ahava was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare degenerative disorder similar to that of multiple sclerosis (MS).

With the sincerest thanks to Hashem, Ahava is doing well and serves and serves as an inspiration for everyone around her. But Ahava’s journey is not nearly done. Since the moment she decided to become an observant Jew, she has only dreamed of going to seminary in Israel. But the cost is great and with chemotherapy bills to pay every few months, there aren’t many extra funds to spend on education.

Today, on behalf of Ahava and all those who love her and are blessed to have her in our lives, we ask of you to help us to send this amazing girl to seminary. She has only gone to Israel once many years ago, and now, her passion and longing for the beautiful and holy country is greater than most. Ahava has longed to return to and learn in Eretz Yisrael for years and with your support, she can do so this summer with this one of a kind opportunity. Seriously, every penny counts!

Tisku l’mitzvos!