A group of prominent philanthropists met for breakfast last
Wednesday in London to learn more about the way the Mesila
organization is changing the economic face of Israel's
Orthodox Jewish community.
Mesila Chairman Shmuli Margulies and Director of Project
Development Moshe Schapiro presented an overview of the
financial crisis facing Israel's Orthodox community and
illustrated how Mesila is combating the problems of poverty
and debt in Israel with its three-pronged approach of
education, counselling and financial assistance.
"People have been waiting for something like Mesila for quite
some time," explained host Jonathan Schapira, a Mesila
founding donor. "They want to know that their tzedokoh
money is not simply acting as a band-aid solution but is
actually going to help people get out of the vicious cycle of
poverty permanently."
Guest speaker Dayan Yonoson Abraham stressed that the Mesila
method of helping people become self-sufficient is the
highest form of tzedokoh. He also pointed out that
Mesila is not trying to change the values of Israel's
Orthodox community but is working to help people achieve
financial stability within the parameters that gedolei
Yisroel have established.
Breakfast participants left with a heightened appreciation
for the work Mesila is doing. London rabbonim and askonim
have received the Mesila concept enthusiastically as
well.
Mesila is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping
families and businesses in Israel achieve permanent financial
stability and independence. With over 25 chapters across
Israel, Mesila is changing attitudes towards financial
responsibility and rescuing hundreds of families and
businesses from the cycle of poverty and debt.
