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The Challenge
It is a tragic reality that many Israeli
children have been orphaned due to terrorist
attacks, accidents and illnesses. As the
remaining parent struggles to cover the
family’s daily living expenses, the
children are beset with worries and anxiety
due to the loss of one parent and the poverty
pervading their home.
Many families cannot imagine how they will
cover the cost of a child’s wedding
especially when it is a daily struggle even
to put food on the table. The joy of a child’s
engagement does not dispel the gloom and
sorrow in the home, but only increases the
widow or widower's worries.
Simchat Tzion’s Answer
In November, 2001, a group of individuals
formed Simchat Tzion to cover the wedding
costs of needy orphans. The organization
hired one of Jerusalem’s premier caterers
to cater Simchat Tzion-sponsored weddings
at a low cost. Thus, Simchat Tzion beneficiaries
are able to celebrate their weddings unmarred
by anxiety from financial pressures.
Simchat Tzion operates on the principle
that the weddings it sponsors should be
indistinguishable from standard Israeli
weddings. The couple’s families meet
with the caterer prior to the wedding to
plan the affair. The wedding takes place
in a catering hall chosen by the family.
The wedding guests have no idea that the
affair is underwritten by a charity organization.
Simchat Tzion’s only involvement in
the affair is to write a check to the caterer
at the end of the wedding.
Simchat Tzion’s unassuming role coupled
with the modest elegance of its weddings
have earned Simchat Tzion acclaim throughout
Israel and the world. Leading rabbinic authorities
in Israel and the United States, including
the Chief Rabbi of Israel, have warmly endorsed
the organization.
Simchat Tzion’s reputation has also reached the ear of Israeli orphans. Almost daily it receives calls asking it to underwrite another orphan’s wedding. To date, Simchat Tzion has sponsored over 1,800 weddings.
Since it doesn’t have the resources
to underwrite a wedding for every Israeli
orphan, Simchat Tzion has set objective
economic criteria to determine who is eligible
for assistance. Each applicant is carefully
screened by a grant committee whose inquiries
are strictly confidential to protect the
privacy of the applicants.
Simchat Tzion’s director, fundraisers,
and grant committee work on a volunteer
basis. It does not rent office space and
has minimal overhead costs. Just about every
dollar contributed to Simchat Tzion goes
directly to covering wedding costs.
How You Can Help
Simchat Tzion funds are completely derived
from the generosity of donors. Many supporters
have given donations to coincide with the
day when they themselves celebrated a wedding
or other joyous occasion in their family.
They knew that their own happiness would
be enhanced by helping an orphaned bride
or groom marry at the same time. Other donors
have contributed as a merit for a sick family
member or friend, in memory of a loved one,
or simply out of a sense of empathy for
the plight of orphans.
Simchat Tzion asks you to join us in sponsoring
all or part of a wedding by selecting from our Upcoming Weddings or by
Contacting Simchat Tzion today!
Together we can make an orphan’s
wedding day a beacon of true happiness.
Approbations / Haskamot
Torah leaders from around the world enthusiastically
support Simchat Tzion’s work and urge
generous individuals to support its noble
goals. Please see our Haskamot page for
those approbations.
Sponsor A Wedding Now
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