Turning Pain Into Light: Mantzichim’s Eternal Legacy Of Love

Part II

After a battle with PTSD Yehuda Lanzkron created the concept of Mantzichim, an organization dedicated to providing personalized projects for bereaved families. Of these exemplary initiatives, dedicating a Sefer Torahis a source of deep spiritual comfort to many grieving families.

Because the cost of commissioning a new Sefer Torah can be as high as $75,000 or higher, Yehuda inaugurated a new approach to eternalize the memory of the fallen. Instead of writing new Sifrei Torah, Mantzichim restores old, unused, and pasul Sifrei Torah. “Throughout the world, there are about 40,000 unusable scrolls, of which 8,000 to 10,000 can be restored,” Mr. Lanzkron noted.

“We are asking synagogues and families around the world that are willing to donate such scrolls to please contact us. Mantzichim will assume the entire restoration process, which involves transport to Israel, koshering the scroll, creating new Atzei Chaim, sewing a new mantel, and more. The names of the family and shuls are honored on the opposite ends of the mantel, perpetuating a precious and spiritual legacy that will be cherished for future generations.”

In addition to donating Sifrei Torah, some shuls have raised funds as well. To financially assist families who wish to dedicate a Sefer Torah, Mantzichim offers a cost-matching program in which the organization funds $10,000 and the family contributes the remaining half.

Yehuda’s dream is for every fallen soldier to have a Sefer Torah written on his behalf. “We invite American families and communities to partner with us and the bereaved families in Israel to breathe life into more Sifrei Torah,” he says.

Undeterred in his never-ending quest to honor the precious neshamah and name of every fallen hero, Mantzichim has launched Chumash HaGiborim, a groundbreaking and spiritually-enriching initiative. 

Truly a magnificent five-volume set of Chamisha Chumshei Torah, this is the Chumash of Our Fallen Heroes, the many intrepid fighters, policemen, Shin Bet operatives, chayalim, and other tzaddikim and tzidkaniotwho selflessly sacrificed their lives on October 7 and in the year that followed. Immersive, illuminating, and inclusive, this Chumash set is destined to become the Chumash of all Am Yisrael. Each exquisite volume honors the memories of our fallen heroes. Featured on one page is the Biblical text and on the other, a loving tribute to a precious chayal who fell in battle, including a biography, a dvar Torah, and an inspirational poem that pays homage to the soldier. Presently available for pre-purchase with a September release date, sponsorships are available for the entire five-volume set or on a per-sefer basis. Priced at $360, each purchase funds two sets of Chumashim: one for the donor and one for the soldier’s bereaved family.

“Chumash HaGiborim” will be our generation’s true heroes,” Yehuda declared. “It will be a source of inspiration and immense pride in every Jewish home and shul. It’s an impactful and deeply spiritual way to elevate the neshamos of our giborim. They will be with us always, during Kriat HaTorah, Shabbat, and yom tovcelebrations. We will read and speak of their heroism and keep them with us always. They will live on through the eternal Torah of Am Yisrael.”

Yehuda regards his lifetime mission as a labor of love, an eternal tribute and an aliyat neshamah for his beloved brother Naftali, raising his pure neshamah to loftier levels in Gan Eden with the completion and dedication of each Sefer Torah. He shares the exhilaration felt by each bereaved family at the Hachnasat Sefer Torah. Arriving at that celebratory moment can be fraught with challenges, he admits. Not the least of which is dealing with the grieving families who are struggling to cope with the unfathomable pain and loss of their loved one. But having experienced the profound and piercing pain of such a loss firsthand has heightened Yehuda’s sensitivity and sense of empathy and understanding.

“Earning the trust of bereaved families can be quite a challenge,” he shared. “Because of the tragic situation, many are fearful of being taken advantage of and are suspicious. Allaying their doubts and earning their trust to the point that a grieving family agrees to commemorate a Sefer Torah for a fallen loved one involves an emotional journey of faith, hope, and trust. But once they commit and experience the infectious and palpable joy and the spiritual fulfillment of dedicating a Sefer Torah, they become ecstatic. Just seeing their unabashed joy as they sing and dance with the Sefer Torah and being a part of their jubilation is the most rewarding aspect of it all!”

For further information about Mantzichim and sponsorship opportunities, please visit mantzichim.co.il or contact Yehuda Lanzkron via email at [email protected]. n

Rochelle Maruch Miller is a contributing editor for the Five Towns Jewish Times. She is a journalist, creative media strategist, lecturer, educator, and writes for magazines, newspapers, websites, and private clients. She welcomes your comments at [email protected]. Read more of Rochelle Maruch Miller’s articles at 5TJT.com.