My name is Lior.

I’m 18 years old, born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. After months of preparation and a highly competitive selection process, I was accepted into Five Fingers Mechinot, one of Israel’s premier leadership programs.

It was a surreal moment, seeing something I had pursued for so long finally come to life. But alongside that achievement came a reality I can’t ignore: the cost is beyond what my family can afford.

When I told my mom, she said, “We’re going to do everything we possibly can.” But after years of overwhelming medical expenses, she was also honest about how difficult it would be. Still, she never stopped supporting this opportunity or believing in me.

My mom is the foundation of my life. She is the person who has shaped me more than anyone else. She raised me as a single mother, worked full-time while earning her master’s degree, and never let me feel like I was missing anything. She taught me, not through words but through example, what it means to work smart and hard, stay responsible, keep going, and have faith even when things feel impossible.

Four years ago, everything changed. What began as a stomach ache became a ten-hour emergency surgery and a diagnosis of Stage IV ovarian cancer. She later suffered a pulmonary embolism and endured intensive care, chemotherapy, and a long recovery. At one point, she had to learn how to walk again.

I was 14 when I realized how quickly life can change.

I remember telling her she was going to make it, because nothing had ever stopped her before. But while I said those words, my own world was changing just as fast; new routines, new responsibilities, and a life where I often had to figure things out without clear guidance. I had to grow up quickly, adapt, and take on more responsibility than most people my age.

In that process, I learned something simple but lasting: when stability disappears, you either break under it or learn how to carry it forward.

I chose to carry it forward.

That is why this opportunity matters so deeply. It represents structure, direction, and growth at a time when I’ve had to build much of that on my own.

And she proved me right. During one of the darkest moments of our journey, doctors told us that if the treatment didn’t work, she might only have six months left to live. I remember hearing those words and thinking, “They have no idea who they’re talking to.” I looked at my mom expecting fear, but instead I saw calm determination. It wasn’t surrender; it was strength. She told the doctor, “You do your part, I’ll do mine, and God will do His.” And step by step, against all odds, that prediction became nothing more than a memory.

With incredible strength and unwavering faith, she fought her way back. About a year and a half ago, she returned to work and continues ongoing medical follow-ups. She faces every challenge with humility, optimism, courage, and a sense of humor that defines her. Her physicians have described her as a “walking miracle,” a label she accepts quietly and without self-importance.

She showed me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every single time you do. I’ve had the chance to witness how someone can navigate some of life’s most difficult illnesses without warning, without preparation, and still keep moving forward. She reminds me that trying alone isn’t enough; what matters is showing up with everything you’ve got, every time.

That is exactly what I’ve done.

I applied for every scholarship available, made countless calls, sent emails, and pursued every possible option. I left nothing unexplored. But the financial cost remains the only barrier between me and this opportunity.

That’s why I’m asking for your support.

Not simply to share my story; but because I believe this program can change the direction of my life.

If you choose to support me, you are investing in someone shaped by hardship, responsibility, and a belief that leadership means serving others.

I will give everything I have to this opportunity and honor every person who believes in me by turning this experience into meaningful impact in the future.

Thank you for believing in me and being part of this journey.