Racheli is a member of our family!  We have enjoyed coutless hours of family time together, whether hiking our land, playing bannanagrams, preparing for shabbat, heated political discussions, dancing at Ashi\'s Bar Mitzvah or getting ready for Shira\'s wedding. Having her in our family is a huge zchut!

If I had to pick a slogan for Racheli it would be \"Am Yisrael Chai!\"  Racheli is filled with tremedous passion and sense of purpose to help Am Yisrael and every individual that helps to compromise our nation. 

If you have ever been Zoche to hear Racheli speak  about her connection to our special people, our holy land, or our divinely given Torah, you can attest to her burning passion.  With emotion in her voice, and tears in her eyes she inspires others.  But, Racheli is far from just talk.  She is a beautiful example of how to make emotions real through actions.  She doesn\'t just embrace Torah she learns it and makes it part of her.  She doesn\'t just speak about Israel she made Aliyah!  She doesn\'t just feel for others she acts on their behalf.

Whether in formal roles as a madricha at Machon Maayan or different Birthright groups, she goes above the call of duty. Every participant or student that Racheli interacts with become receipients of her love. She never looks how to just fulfill a job but welcomes every opportunity to help and connect with another member of the Jewish people. Racheli is often the first person that her friends turn to when they need help or just a listening ear. It is because they know and feel how much she cares and loves them.

In Bar Ilan University Racheli has chosen to study about the Land of Israel. She looked for a major that would help her bring her love of Eretz Yisrael to others.  We know that one day she will be one of the best tour guides to inspire others about our land.

Racheli prefers to be in the giving end of relationships. After receiving her diagnosis of lymphia one of the difficult realities for her was that she would have to learn how to be the receiver and not only the giver. This learn a thon is a perfect way for us to give to her and receive in return as well.   

 When the idea was presented to Racheli she was very excited about it.  We proclaim on Rosh Hashana that tefilah, tshuva, and tzedekah have the ability to tip the scales in our favor.  We have the ability to help tip the scales through our learning, tefillah, and tzedaka. 

The tzedakah money will go to young women from difficult finacial and family situations and allow them to spend a year of personal and Torah growth at Machon Maayan.  This is a cause very close to Racheli\'s heart. She has been an important part of what can be a transforming year for many. If you would like to learn more about Machon Maayan look at the video on the left or check out our website at www.machonmaayan.org.

 The idea is for this to be a grassroots campaign, where people give what they can and spread the word to their friends, family and co-workers (take a look at the tools in the Tell Your Friends section). Even better, you can easily set up your own branch campaign customized for your own network of contacts by hitting the Create a Branch Campaign button above. Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Aariel & Meryl-Lee

Shira & Dovid and Esther Hadassah

Aliza & Yoni

Asher, Ephraim, Ari, and Yehuda Betzalel