Arad, Israel – It was a sight to behold. In a large room sat over 400 boys of all ages, singing and laughing together like one big happy family. But this wasn’t a regular family. This was HKB”H’s family of orphaned children who came together for a Shabbos retreat in the beautiful desert town of Arad, in the mountains near the Dead Sea.
Buneinu is a highly acclaimed program which assists orphaned boys with all their emotional and material needs throughout the year. This mission is led by the mechanech R’ Mayer Aker Shlit”a and is a sub division of the renowned Tov V’Chesed organization, led by R’ Yaakov Eliezer Shisha Shlit”a.
Buneinu’s leading project is undoubtedly the Buneinu houses where orphaned boys of all ages are free to come by after school, on weekends, during bein hazmanim and more for a quick bite, a listening ear and to bask in the warmth and acceptance. The organization also employs dozens of mentors, counselors and therapists. Every child who is part of the program has a designated mentor with whom he can develop a close connection and someone he can always count on.
The highlight of the year is undoubtedly the annual Buneinu Shabbaton where the hundreds of boys and young bachurim who are part of Buneinu’s year-round efforts gather for a 48 hour getaway. It’s a time when they can leave all their troubles behind and spend an uplifting and exciting weekend in the company of other boys who share their predicament. These Shabbatons have earned rave reviews from all participants and despite the high costs involved, R’ Shisha and his team realize its vital importance and continue hosting the annual event.
This year’s Shabbaton was attended by 437 boys. If the number 437 seems overly specific, that’s because it is. Originally, only 435 registrants were expected to join but on Friday morning, as the buses prepared to leave their points of origin throughout Israel, R’ Shisha received a phone call from a prominent Rav who told him that he’s allowing two boys who were in the week of shiva after losing their mother to take part in the Shabbos. Accommodations were quickly arranged so that these two broken boys could participate.
Over the years, Buneinu leadership realized that the children were far more amendable to opening up about their experiences and what is on their mind when they find themselves away from their day-to-day environment, and in a warm and inviting atmosphere. To that end, Buneinu enlisted around 150 staff members, therapist, psychologists and educators to take part in the Shabbos and be there for the children at all times.
The Shabbaton boasted nonstop fun, excitement and inspiration. All throughout the getaway, the boys were treated like royal children of Hashem. Upon their arrival on Friday afternoon, all children were greeted at the host hotel by R’ Shisha and R’ Aker and Buneinu staff led them to their designated rooms which were prepared in advance with food, reading material, gifts and more.
The Shabbos began with outdoor singing and the festivities were then taken inside where the bucherim and boys davened separately. The dancing at Friday night’s davening was joyous and uplifting, with true smiles that aren’t seen often on many of the participants’ faces. The Shabbos meals and farbrengens included singing and dancing that carried for hours.
The Shalosh Seudos was a highlight since R’ Mayer Aker spoke with the boys and implored them to stay strong and have emunah despite their suffering. R’ Aker tearfully shared that since Rosh Hashana, Buneinu has had to assist 83 new yesomim who are going through the devastation of losing a parent. Through cries and sobs, mixed with a yearning for better days the boys sang uplifting, slow songs; songs of chizuk, emunah, and tefillah.
As in years prior, the Motzei Shabbos Melaveh Malka punctuated an incredible weekend as the children enjoyed a lavish meal, premier entertainment, and song and dance that lasted until the sun came up. During the melava malka, a siyum mishanyis was held for the shisha sidrei mishna learned by Buneinu boys throughout the year. There was not a dry eye in the room as hundreds of sweet voices said Kaddish in unison after their departed parent. The mood then turned more joyful as song and dance filled the hall. Some of Israel’s leading singer and performers traveled to Arad to provide the children with a night to remember.
The melava malka also celebrated Buneinu’s recent opening of a new center in Beni Brak and the impending launch of Buneinu in Beit Shemesh. Late at night, exhausted physically but rejuvenated emotionally, the children were escorted back to their buses and received a beautiful souvenir to take back home as a reminder of the wonderful weekend. The smiles on the faces of the children shared the clear and unmistakable message that the positive impact of the Shabbos will last a long time.