By Aharon Spetner
Illustrated by Miri Weinreb
“Chiya!” said Effy, running over to his friend. “Did you hear about the fundraising campaign for Irgun Ken Yirbeh V’chen Yifrotz?”
“No, why?”, asked Chiya. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that organization.”
“Here, take a look.” Effy shoved a flier into Chiya’s hand.
“Have you ever dreamed of being one of the Leviim who were zoche to carry the Aron on their shoulders?” Chiya read out loud. “This is your chance to be just like the Bnei Kehos!”
“Wait,” Chiya said, turning to Effy, confused. “I’m not even a Levi, and neither are you.”
“Keep reading,” urged Effy.
Chiya continued. “Ken Yirbeh V’chen Yifrotz is a new organization which aims to help all mosdos Torah with running their fundraising campaigns. By giving to this wonderful tzedakah, you are carrying the future of Klal Yisroel on your shoulders.” Chiya looked even more bewildered. “Effy, I’m just a kid. I don’t have any money to donate.”
“Just keep reading until the end,” Effy said.
An All-Expenses Paid Trip to Hawaii
“Ken Yirbeh V’chen Yifrotz is holding its first annual raffle, with hundreds of prizes. In addition, anyone who sells ten or more tickets will be entered into a drawing to win a free, all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii!”
“Wow, Hawaii - that sounds incredible!” said Chiya. “I see it says the winner gets to stay at a private mansion which will be completely kosher, there is a secluded private beach on the property, and look at this - a helicopter ride over the crater of an active volcano!”
“I know!” gushed Effy. “And every ticket we sell gets us another chance to win!”
Chiya, Effy, and their friends spent the next several days busily selling as many tickets as they could. They called uncles, aunts and cousins. Chiya even got his bus driver to buy a ticket on the way to cheder.
A Phone Call for Chiya
A few weeks later, during supper, the phone rang.
“Chiya, it’s for you,” his mother said.
Chiya stopped eating his noodle soup and hurried to the phone.
“Hello?” he said. “Wait, what? Really? Oh wow, thanks! Okay, goodbye.”
The next day, on the way to school, Chiya’s friends all rushed over to him.
“Chiya, is it true?” asked Effy.
“Did you really win the raffle?” said Avi.
“You’re going to Hawaii!” Eli exclaimed.
“Uh... well yes it’s true that I won,” said Chiya. “But I’m not going to Hawaii.”
“What?” all three friends said together. “Why not?”
“Well after I got the phone call letting me know that I won, I was thinking about it. And I called them back and asked if instead of going to Hawaii I could trade the trip for the 21-speed mountain bike that was 3rd prize in the main raffle.” Chiya pulled out a flier with a picture of the bike. “Look, it’s a great bike!”
“Chiya, what got into you?” asked Effy. “We were talking about this trip for weeks.”
“I can’t believe you’d trade a trip to Hawaii for a bike,” said Eli.
“Well,” Chiya explained as they approached the cheder. “I was thinking about going on the trip, and how I had never even left Eretz Yisroel before. And I realized that I’m going to miss all of the Yidden that are here. There aren’t many Yidden in Hawaii, you know.”
“Okay, but we’ll all still be here when you get back,” Avi said.
