FAQ
Q: How do I buy a raffle ticket?
A: Simple! Just click here and select your package.
Q: When is the drawing?
A: The raffle drawing will take place on
March 5, 2026 – the day after Shushan Purim! It will be held in Jerusalem and broadcast live via the Internet (Live-Streaming) – as we did in all previous raffles. After the winner has been chosen, we will email all ticket buyers the name of the winner plus a video clip of the drawing. We will also call the winner on the phone to give the great news. Note: You don’t need to sit by the phone all day… we will contact you. We will email, call and hold your ticket until we reach you.
Q: Can I use my “ma’aser money” to pay for a Dream Raffle ticket?
A: This question has been asked many times so we decided to get a proper answer.
We asked Rav Mordechai Rabinovitch שליט"א to write a “teshuva” about this issue and you can CLICK HERE to see his full, in-depth response.
In short, the Rav answered that – YES! – one can use ma’aser money to purchase tickets in the Dream Raffle.
*Rav Mordechai Rabinovich is a well known teacher, posek and author, having written many popular seforim including several Mishnayot in the ArtScroll series. He lives in Givat Assaf, near Bet El.
Q: Please tell me about the apartment and where, exactly it is located?
A: The apartment is BRAND NEW and is in the “Lev Ha’Ir - Jerusalem” project in Givat Mordechai, Jerusalem. It is on the 9th floor with 2 elevators (1 is a Shabbat elevator). This area of Jerusalem is absolutely beautiful, and the building is located just a few blocks from Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. The apartment has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a living room, dining room and kitchen. It has a large balcony (the entire balcony can used for a Sukkah), and a parking spot and a “machsan” (storage room).
The apartment comes FULLY FURNISHED – see pictures on the Photos page of the actual furniture and appliances! The only appliances not included are a washing machine and dryer, although there is a service room next to the kitchen with all plumbing and electricity ready
Q: How will I receive my raffle tickets?
A: As soon as you pay for the order, we will email the raffle tickets to your email address! They will arrive as a PDF attachment and the raffle tickets will have your name and number on them. Good luck!
Q: I never received my raffle tickets – where are they?
A: 99% of the time, people who didn’t receive their tickets found them in their spam/junk folder. Please check that carefully – especially in “ALL MAIL”. If, for some reason they are not there, email us and we will gladly resend them. Send your email to Shmuel@TheDreamRaffle.com
Q: Can I pay by check?
A: Yes, you can pay for your tickets with a US Dollar check. Make your check payable to “Am Yisrael Chai Foundation” and enclose a note indicating how many tickets you want. Make sure you include your email address so that we can send you the tickets! Mail the check, together with the note to: Am Yisrael Chai Foundation – PO Box 241 – Cedarhurst, NY 11516 (USA) Very important: Checks must be received by March 1, 2026 in order to qualify for the raffle. Any checks received after that date will be returned.
Q: I would rather pay online. Is my payment secure?
A: Paying online is definitely preferable, and we have taken all precautions to secure your payment. Our system uses the latest technology in online payments, and we are fully compliant with all security standards.
Q: Is the purchase of a raffle ticket tax deductible?
A: The Am Yisrael Chai Foundation was founded in 2001 and is IRS approved as a 501c3. Our tax number is 11-3618003. Regular donations to Am Yisrael Chai are tax deductible in the USA but, according to the IRS, raffle tickets do not qualify for a deduction and are therefore NOT tax deductible.
Q: What taxes must I pay upon winning the apartment?
A: According to the law, the winner of a raffle must pay all taxes. We cannot state how much that will be because it depends on your country and personal situation. It is highly recommended that you ask this question to your financial advisor and follow the guidelines he/she tells you.
Q: What are the monthly fees on the apartment in Israel?
A: Every apartment in the building pays 2 monthly fees; Arnona (property tax to the City of Jerusalem) and Va’ad Bayit (maintenance fee to the building’s management company). When added together, these fees are approximately 2,000 shekel per month (about $540 – at the exchange rate of 3.7)
Q: If I win, can I take a cash prize instead of the apartment?
A: Yes, you can. The cash prize is $600,000 (minus taxes) and will be sent to you within 90 days after the raffle. Not bad for a $200 ticket…
Q: How do I know this raffle is real and not a scam?
A: The Dream Raffle is a project of the Am Yisrael Chai Foundation, which is under the guidance of an accounting firm and an attorney – as required by USA law. In addition, we are connected to a posek for all Halachic matters. Any questions should be emailed to: Shmuel@TheDreamRaffle.com
Shmuel Sackett started this organization (Am Yisrael Chai) in 2001 and has helped thousands of people across Eretz Yisrael.
In 2018 we started “The Dream Raffle” and, Baruch Hashem, it worked very nicely, so we are continuing with it – now in its eighth year!
The winner of 2018 – Don Wisnewski - Hawaii (USA)
The winner of 2019 – David Rotfleish - Toronto (CANADA)
The winner of 2020 – Meyer Reichman - New Jersey (USA)
The winner of 2021 - Michael Cohen - California (USA)
The winner of 2022 - Assaf Cohen – Shavei Darom (Israel)
The winner of 2023 – Meir Friedman – Beitar Illit (Israel)
The winner of 2024 – Tammy and Ezra Nissanian – New York (USA)
“Am Yisrael Chai” files all reports with the IRS, is well known across Israel and many Rabbis can tell you who we are.
The decision is yours but there is nothing to fear – we are 100% real and if you win this raffle, the incredible apartment will be yours to keep forever.
If you want references, please email Shmuel directly and he will be glad to provide you with names/numbers for you to contact.
Shmuel’s direct email is: Shmuel@TheDreamRaffle.com
Q: Must you post my name and picture if I win?
A: Absolutely! Can you imagine if we email everyone that the winner of the Dream Raffle was “S.G. of Chicago”?? Nobody would believe us!! We are so careful to provide full transparency in this raffle, and we therefore INSIST that the winner – of the grand prize PLUS all bonus raffles – post their name, picture and make a video that we post on all social media channels. This is mandatory! We understand and respect the need for privacy – which is why we will NEVER publish the winner’s private information (address, phone numbers, email etc...). That remains 100% confidential but we MUST publish and post the name, along with pictures and videos. If this makes you uncomfortable, please do NOT buy a ticket. This is non-negotiable.