“Which four aleph beis do we find on a dreidel?” Morah reads out loud. Mendy carefully selects a card from the small hospital tray. “Nin, Gimmel, Hei, Shin!” He beams ecstatically, waving his card like a trophy. Morah and Mendy share a triumphant smile.
Then, he drops his cards, grabs Morah’s hand, and looks at her pleadingly.“Morah, don’t leave yet. Stay a little longer.”
This is the third time today that Mendy interrupted their learning with these words.
He just doesn’t want this magical time with Morah to end. When Morah comes he can forget about the medicine slowly dripping into his arm, the nurses bustling in and out, and the pain and nausea of treatment. For that short while, he is a regular kid, doing regular things - learning parsha, practicing aleph beis, and doing crafts.
He looks forward to it all day.
But while Morah would love to stay a little longer, she still has other children in other rooms and hospitals to visit today.
A Classroom Without Walls
A serious diagnosis in childhood changes everything. Overnight, a child's world — once centered around school, friends, and family — shrinks to a hospital room, a bedroom, doctors and nurses.
Whether confined to the hospital or their homes, Kochavim’s Morahs-on-Wheels bring school to them, keeping their young minds stimulated and their spirits up, and ensuring they remain on par with their peers.
Mrs. Weiss, a mother of a 5-year-old patient shares, “Morah-on-Wheels broke up the endless hospital days. When Morah Yitty came, Shaindy would come alive, enjoying the attention, parsha activities, books, and surprises that made their way out of the big bag. I am forever grateful to Yitty and her team!”
Morah Yitty Weinberger, our first Morah-on-Wheels, says, “It’s not just the mental stimulation – something iPad games and videos cannot provide. It's their identity, their Yiddishkeit. When kids are stuck in the hospital they're surrounded by a foreign environment – nice doctors and caring nurses who know nothing about what makes Yiddishkeit alive and vibrant.
When we visit, we bring a slice of normalcy and Yiddishkeit into that environment. We turn their hospital rooms into classrooms. Not one of my students ever said no to learning parsha. Their neshamos crave learning and Yiddishkeit.“
The connection formed between child and teacher is so strong that when Chaim was finally cleared from treatment, while still thrilled, he said, “But…I still want to see my morahs.”
Giving immunocompromised children the gift of childhood
Discharge from the hospital is always thrilling. But along with excitement comes a big now what. With a non-existent immune system and frequent appointments, school is not an option. What to do with a bright, bored, sick little kid?
Star Learning Center is a typical preschool structured around the realities of pediatric illness. The two central locations in Brooklyn and Monsey feature sterile, state-of-the-art classrooms, robust Kodesh and Chol curriculums, and continuous air purification systems.
Safe in our warm and cheerful environment, children enjoy a school experience where students of all types sing the aleph beis, learn the Parsha, and share Lego blocks and doll carriages. Where every birthday is celebrated — not just as a regular milestone — but as a fervent prayer for many more to come. Where little warriors forget their aches and pain. Where they laugh and play and enjoy arts & crafts and silly songs.
Where little kids get to be just that.
Shmueli’s mother messaged us, “Shmueli stood at the door wearing his briefcase all evening, sobbing “I want to go to Morah Chani, I want to go to school.”
And nothing compares to the megawatt smile that lit up Rivky’s face as she spotted her friend sporting the very same medical equipment as she was. “Morah, Fraidy also has tubies!”
Zoom School
Home-and-hospital-bound students love joining their friends for daily classes on Zoom, where they daven together, see their favorite teachers, and even answer some of the parshah questions.
Our dedicated team ships out boxes weekly with all the supplies students need to follow along with classes on Zoom. Students are so proud to hang the crafts they made along with their friends by their bedside or on their refrigerator.
“The crafts were wonderful, they really kept her busy while home. It was incredible for her to learn all about the weekly Parsha in such a simple and fun format!
Thank you to all those involved!”
— SLC parent
Family support
Family life doesn’t stop when illness comes to visit. For parents juggling the impossible, Kochavim offers practical assistance on the home front, home volunteers, meals, and support so these unsung heroes don’t have to do it all alone.
For siblings whose lives have been upended, The Space is a place to unwind, do homework, and enjoy a hot meal with a listening ear nearby. Separate programs for all ages offer fun and friendship in a safe, supportive environment.
Home away from home
Home is where your support system is.
Families who need to relocate for treatment get embraced by the extended Kochavim family. With apartment setup, childcare arrangements, paperwork, and appointment support, we help families feel at home even when they can’t be there.
Our private peer support events connect out-of-state families with people who speak their language.
Now, Kochavim is reaching out to you, our community. We need your help to continue - to reach more kids in their homes and hospital rooms, to support more families, to enable our morahs to stay a little longer.
Please show your support by donating generously to our upcoming Charidy campaign, scheduled for December 15 and 16. Visit our campaign page at www.charidy.com/kochavim to learn more and donate.