RBS Tzedaka Fund
Investigation
Planning, Rehabilitation
From Hardship to Relief
The rebbe is angry. “You forgot your lunch again? What are we going to do with you, Mendy?” he demands. “When are you going to stop forgetting things? And I see that you forgot the money for the trip as well! Who has some pretzels or a wafer for Mendy?” the rebbe asks the class. Turning back to Mendy, he says pointedly, “You won’t forget again tomorrow, right?”
Mendy stands still, his face bright red with shame. No, he will not forget again. In fact, he hasn’t forgotten at all. But it is easier to claim that he forgot his lunch than to tell the truth.
Who will tell the rebbe the terrible secret? Who will tell him that Mendy is not forgetful at all, that his rumbling stomach is a constant reminder of the fact that no one packed lunch for him to bring to school – neither today, nor yesterday, nor on any of the days before that?
Who will explain to the rebbe that Mendy wants to learn, but a hungry child simply can’t concentrate?
For two months, Mendy has been unusually belligerent, he has “forgotten” his lunch every day, and he has been slipping in his studies. Eventually, the rebbe decides to submit Mendy’s name to the Kupa shel Tzedaka. The professionals of the Kupa, he hopes, will get to the bottom of the situation.