The contents of the box will last a few weeks — while the memories of each child’s 30 seconds by his car window will last a lifetime

Amid a climate of confusion, violence, and chaos as COVID-19 policies continue to rip apart our nation, there was a beacon of light that shined through. In Talmud Torah Toras Aharon in Jerusalem’s Ramat Eshkol neighborhood, Menahel Rabbi Dovid Brafman showed that there is, indeed, another way. In keeping in line with the Board of Health’s order for schools to remain closed due to the epidemic, Toras Aharon has been functioning remotely through a highly successful system involving video recordings of the staff delivering shiurim, which are emailed to the homes of the students. However, as the lockdown dragged on, the administration and staff couldn’t bear not seeing the smiling faces of its 250 students. And so, the cheder organized a drive-by where each family packed into their own car and drove up to the front gate of the cheder to be handed a massive care package filled with games, toys, educational activities and learning material — enough for the whole family to enjoy. But in addition, and perhaps even more importantly, they were greeted by the staff who, even with masks on, were obviously bursting with genuine love and care for their dear and beloved talmidim.

The contents of the box will last a few weeks — while the memories of each child’s 30 seconds by his car window will last a lifetime. When there’s a will there’s a way — and sometimes that way is another way.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 847)