How Charidy Transformed My Vision.

As told by Mordechai Eisenberg, Rosh Hakollel, Kollel Hora’ah of America

More than a decade ago, I found myself in a situation many leaders of small-town kollelim can relate to: the mission was clear, but the resources to sustain it felt out of reach. I was running a kollel in Marlboro, a quiet New Jersey town, training young men to become rabbonim. It was a noble pursuit, but month after month, I faced the same challenge—how to pay the yungeleit who were dedicating their lives to Torah study.  

Unlike larger kollelim in bustling Jewish hubs, we didn’t have easy access to a pool of donors or communal resources. Fundraising for ongoing expenses felt impossible. I knew how to teach, but marketing and explaining what we did? That was foreign to me.Every day, the pressure weighed heavier on me, and I began to wonder if the kollel could survive.  

It was then that my parents mentioned Charidy. At the time, Charidy was just starting out, and I was skeptical. How could a new platform solve challenges I’d been wrestling with for years? But with no other options, I reached out. That one call changed everything.  

I was connected with Menachem Siegal and Gitty Prus , who began to guide me through what Charidy could offer. Gitty’s direct approach struck a chord with me. She asked pointed questions—about budget, potential matchers, team leadership, and campaign logistics. At one point, she asked who would take responsibility for each part of the process. Feeling overwhelmed, I responded, “I guess that’s me.”

Her reply took me by surprise: “We can’t work with you.”

She explained that Charidy’s model doesn’t just raise funds—it builds leaders. To succeed, I needed to form a team and empower others to take ownership of the kollel’s mission. That was the first lesson, and it changed my mindset from seeing fundraising as a burden to viewing it as an opportunity for collaboration and growth.  

I have always known that Hashem is the One who gives success. For us, the messengers of that success is the team at Charidy.

With Charidy’s guidance, I started to build a support network. I followed their step-by-step process, securing matchers, assembling a team of active partners, and learning how to communicate our vision effectively. It wasn’t easy—there were moments of self-doubt and overwhelming pressure—but the tools and coaching I received pushed me forward.  

The results were nothing short of transformative. Our campaign succeeded beyond expectations, and today, the kollel is thriving—not just because of the money raised, but because of the lessons learned. Charidy didn’t just help us through one campaign; it equipped us with the skills and confidence to continue building.  

Charidy embodies the proverb, “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Upon completing a successful campaign, Charidy equips you with the skills to sustain and grow. The follow-up calls, detailed coaching, and strategic insights enable you to stand on your own, fortified and confident.  

To me, Charidy is not a tool. It is a group of passionate, relentless coaches who help you help yourself. That, in essence, is their greatest gift.