The case began with an Israeli woman who moved to Tanzania decades ago for economic reasons. She secured employment and eventually rose to a senior position, but the longer she remained away from her family and Jewish life, the more disconnected she became, eventually marrying a local Muslim of Indian origin.

The abuse began almost immediately. As the sole wage earner, she was expected to cover all the household expenses while enduring daily humiliation and threats. Over the years, she gave birth to three children, who were also subjected to abuse.

Shortly after Pesach 2020, L.’s mother passed away, leaving her family with one final request: Do whatever it takes to rescue my daughter from her suffering, help her leave her cruel husband, and bring her and her children back to Israel.

L. asked her husband for permission to bring the children to Israel for the shloshim and the unveiling of her mother’s matzeiva. Suspicious that she was planning to leave him, he insisted that the children remain in Tanzania.

In desperation, L.’s family contacted Yad L’Achim. The organization’s rescue team quickly learned the details of the case and instructed L. how to proceed, following advice from Rabbi Shneur Shmuelevich, the Chabad shliach in Tanzania.

L. was provided with “legal” documents stating that she could collect her share of the estate left by her mother only by appearing personally in Israel together with her three children. Eager to obtain the anticipated funds, her husband granted permission for the trip, clearing the way for L. and the children to return safely to Israel.

A large delegation from Yad L’Achim awaited the family at Ben Gurion Airport. The team included English-speaking social workers and mentors who helped them adjust to their new life in Israel.

Yad L’Achim’s lawyers assisted L. in navigating the Interior Ministry bureaucracy so that the family could receive Israeli citizenship. They also helped her obtain sole custody of the children.

Arrangements were made at the same time to fulfill the halachic requirements necessary for the children to be formally recognized as Jewish, including hatafas dam bris.

This week, six years after the complex rescue, the eldest son celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Ramat Gan. Attending the celebration were Mrs. Oshrat Bargo, the social worker who heads the team that continues to accompany the family, along with other Yad L’Achim activists.

The Bar Mitzvah boy beamed with joy, showing no outward sign of the hardships he had endured. In a clear and confident voice, he delivered his Bar Mitzvah drasha before the tearful participants.

Yad L’Achim said it would continue supporting the family in every way possible.

Rabbi Shmuel Lifshitz, one of the organization’s leaders, said the story of L. and her children is “proof of the eternal truth embodied in our motto: We do not give up on any Jew.”

Photos: Yad L’Achim