Nestled in the heart of Monsey, New York, a small but mighty organization is rewriting the stories of hundreds of orphaned and at-risk children in Israel. Lev LaLev, which translates to “Heart to Heart,” acts as the American fundraising arm for an Israeli orphanage dedicated to providing love, care, and opportunity to children who have known nothing but hardship.

Lev LaLev’s roots trace back to the post-Holocaust promise of Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, the Klausenberger Rebbe. Having lost his wife and 11 children in the horrors of World War II, the Rebbe vowed to create an orphanage and hospital to rebuild shattered lives. True to his word, he founded the orphanage in 1962 with just five children. Today, it serves 130 children across four centers—an emergency center for boys, an emergency center for girls, a post-trauma recovery center, and the primary orphanage that many children call home.

The Orphanage doesn’t merely provide food, clothing, and shelter—it creates a family. Many children who arrive have faced unimaginable challenges, from losing parents to enduring severe neglect or abuse. 

“When they come in, they are so shy, so shattered,” says Chavi Weiss, Lev LaLev’s Director of Development. “But give it a month or two, and they are different people.”

“The love, attention, and therapy they receive transforms them,” Weiss, who has been with the nonprofit for over 14 years, shares, adding, “You can’t compare a girl who comes in to one who has been with us for even a few months. Their confidence grows, and they become entirely different people.” 

Therapy is a crucial component of Lev LaLev’s mission. Every child meets weekly with a therapist and psychologist to break the cycle of trauma. Extracurricular activities, tutoring, and summer trips round out the care they receive, ensuring these children don’t just survive—they thrive.

“Unlike many orphanages, Lev LaLev never says goodbye,” Weiss explains. “Once you’re part of the family, you’re always part of the family. We want to ensure these children succeed in every phase of their lives.”

From early education to higher learning and even marriage, the organization supports its children every step of the way. When a graduate aspired to become an OBGYN, Lev LaLev found a sponsor to fund her medical school. Today, she’s fulfilling her dreams while giving back to the very community that raised her.

Graduates frequently turn to Lev LaLev for help with life milestones, whether it’s affording a baby stroller or organizing a wedding. “Just like parents help their children, we try to be there for ours,” Weiss explains. “Once you’re part of the family, you’re always part of the family.”

The Israel-Hamas War: Sobbing, Sirens and Safe Rooms

On October 7th, Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel. The Israel-Hamas conflict had officially begun, testing the resilience and mental fortitude of both the children and the staff.

“Everyone was terrified. The girls needed a lot of therapy to cope with their fears,” Weiss describes.

Living in central Israel has spared the orphaned girls from constant bombings, but recent escalations from Hezbollah in the north mean the girls now run for shelter three to four times a day.

“Every time they go, they’re hysterical, and we have to calm them down. It’s been super challenging. We have security guards, but it’s been very, very hard for them,” Weiss shares. “We renovated the safe room to make it more comfortable, but it’s a tough time.”

Despite these challenges, Lev LaLev continues to meet the needs of their children, recently fundraising for a generator to ensure the orphanage remains safe and operational during power outages.

Stories of Hope

Every day, Lev LaLev creates moments of hope and joy. Weiss recalls one recent, equally heartbreaking and inspiring case.

“We had girls who came in a few months ago who were so abused. Their mother used to peel potatoes, give the actual potato to the dog, and give the potato peels to the children,” she shudders. 

Today, those same girls are thriving.

“I see that if I try, and I just do a little bit, I see that God takes care of the rest. People reach out from out of nowhere whenever the orphanage needs something. I make a few phone calls, I meet a few people, and God always sends help. It’s amazing to see that again and again and again,” she muses. “That’s what keeps me going, especially when things are hard.

She speaks of the joy of attending 25 weddings of former residents. “Seeing girls who came in battered and shy grow into happy, mature adults with families of their own—that’s the biggest reward,” Weiss says. “It’s amazing to see them go on to build a happy home. You see the cycle of trauma end. You see hope.”

Weiss describes a letter, written in Hebrew, that she received recently from a woman who once lived at the orphanage. The letter moved her and other staff to tears.

The following text is the English translation of the letter.

To the dear and beloved staff of Lev LaLev,

I want to thank you for everything you have done for me and for every moment I spent here. I arrived four years ago, and from the moment I walked in, you were always there for me.

You took care of me as though I were your own daughter, giving me confidence and love that I had never felt before. I never felt alone because I knew I had your support.

Even during the most challenging moments of my life, you stood by my side, never giving up on me, even when I gave up on myself. You encouraged and lifted me up, and I will never forget that.

Over the past four years, I have grown so much. I discovered strengths I didn’t even know I had, and it’s all thanks to you. You believed in me, and through that belief, you taught me to believe in myself.

The warmth, love, and endless giving you have shown me have brought me to where I am today, and I am grateful from the depths of my heart.

I will always remember your care and kindness to me every single day. You gave me hope and showed me there is so much good in this world.

I hope you continue to spread your light to every girl who enters these doors, just as you did for me.

Thank you for everything. I love you so much, and you will always remain in my heart.

With endless love and gratitude,

Devora

How You Can Help

With limited government funding, Lev LaLev relies on the critical support of donors to fill the gap. The organization must raise a minimum of over $2 million annually to sustain its programs, with therapy being one of the costliest yet most essential services. Current projects include building a playground and renovating the post-trauma center.

Donors can also sponsor a child, ensuring they receive clothing, education, therapy, and opportunities to flourish. Lev LaLev’s philosophy is clear: these children deserve the best, not hand-me-downs. “We want them to feel like first-class citizens,” Weiss emphasizes. “They’ve been through enough.”

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Lev LaLev represents hope. With your support, they can continue to transform lives, one child at a time. Whether it’s sponsoring therapy sessions, contributing to the playground fund, or helping with scholarships, every donation makes a tangible difference.

Visit levlalev.com to learn more and become part of their incredible mission. Together, we can rebuild lives, restore dignity, and ensure these children have the bright futures they deserve.

Website: www.levlalev.com
Email: info@levlalev.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/levlalev

Instagram: www.instagram.com/levlalevorphanage