How One Warden Accidentally Turned Aleph into a National Organization Overnight

The Book of Esther, which we read on Purim, tells how G-d miraculously turned a day of certain annihilation into a day of celebration. In that spirit, we want to share a modern-day Purim story about a day that seemed to deal a devastating blow…

The Shofar in the Ecuador Prison

Gilad was an Israeli expatriate living in Ecuador with his best friend Nati. The two young men traveled to Ecuador on their post-army tour-of-the-world and, like many Israelis, ended up staying. Months turned into years, and Gilad and Nati began…

First Person: Meeting a “Lifer” in Prison

By Reuven Overlander   The first time I entered a prison, I was 23 years old. It was July of 2009, and I was volunteering for Aleph’s Summer Visitation Program together with a good friend. We road-tripped through North Carolina, South…

His Dad’s Mugshot Was in the Newspapers

A video arrived in Aleph’s inbox of a young man striding proudly across the stage to receive his high school diploma. It would seem like just an ordinary scene, unless you read the message that his mother sent along with it: “Thank you……

“My friends told me I was crazy…”

At 70 years old, Sylvia* never expected to be running around 24/7 raising her three rambunctious granddaughters. But the problems began when Anna,* Sylvia’s daughter, fell into the clutches of drug addiction. Anna was attracted to danger like…

A Miraculous Phone Call

Beth* squeezed her fists tightly as she stared at the phone on the counter. A voice in her head said: “Call Aleph! Ask for help. You desperately need it.” But another voice fought back, telling her: “You’re weak if you ask for help.” As…

The Smile That Lit Up A Room

Jenna* is 9 years old. She can’t walk or talk like other girls, but she loves playing with dolls. She can’t go to a regular school, but she loves to learn. Jenna has cerebral palsy, but she can laugh and cry just like me and you. Last…

Strategies for Coping with New Challenges – lecture by Dr. David Pelcovitz

Here is a recording and slides from an excellent lecture that was given by Dr. David Pelcovitz to Aleph Families on the topic 'Strategies for Coping with New Challenges'.      

Yom Kippur 2017

For the first time in the Aleph’s Institute 36-year history arranging visits and holiday services for Jews in U.S. prisons, there was a minyan for Yom Kippur in a high security Arizona prison. “It took almost two days before yom tov going…

In Prison, But Not Alone Anymore

It’s 1999, two days before Rosh Hashanah, and I can’t think of anything positive to look forward to in the coming year. Rabbi Shalom Leverton is coming to see me with some supplies to celebrate the holiday. I know that he’s going to try…