Here is additional information and more opportunities for direct assistance in Israel

We have identified and are working closely with several individuals and groups that offer direct relief and support to Israeli citizens and soldiers during this latest round of violence. What follows is a brief description of the programs and their needs:

A. A Package From Home

We have been reporting about the work of Barbara Silverman and A Package From Home since 2002. This grassroots organization is a perfect example of one person’s ability to effect change. Barbara, an American who made aliyah several years ago, knew that the soldiers fighting this latest war in Israel (particularly the chayalim bodedim, soldiers with no family in Israel) could use some extra attention. With the outbreak of the latest violence starting in September, 2000, Barbara began A Package From Home. With encouragement and financial support from family and friends, she and many volunteers assemble gift boxes filled with some special items — snack food, a new pair of warm socks or a cap for the damp winter months, an extra toothbrush or other toiletry items and, perhaps most important, a personal note to say “Thank you” for defending this country. To date, more than 70,000 packages have been assembled and delivered to the front-lines. Today, school kids in Israel and the United States provide not only financial support for Barbara’s work, but they write many of the notes that are included in the boxes, and have also sent thousands of items for the boxes. This work is ongoing and the need is great. (Further information on this project including the support of entire troops, battalions, etc., can be found at the website www.apackagefromhome.org)

To give you a sense of the impact these boxes have on the soldiers —

“I had the pleasure of being one of the soldiers whom you managed to make happy by your package. Since we serve on the Syrian border outposts, our days revolve around guarding the borders. We walk along the fence at night even when it is cold, dark and rainy. At such a time, getting such a package including a letter expressing appreciation for the sacrifice each soldier is making strengthens their spirit and resolve. In their minds they think about Klal Israel and that every one of the Jewish people takes part in this package. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Eliyahu

[A Package From Home/AACI, Barbara Silverman, 12 Keren Kayemet Street, Jerusalem, Israel, 011-972-2-623-2548, emess@netvision.net.il, www.apackagefromhome.org.]

B. Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association (INTRA) and Victims of Terror
Over the years, Ziv has reported on the wonders and the miracles of therapeutic horseback riding. As the latest war has progressed we knew that it would only be a matter of time before Anita and Giora Shkedi would start to provide therapeutic riding sessions for individuals who have been injured in terrorist attacks or lost a family member(s) in such an attack. For some, National Insurance will provide this very special therapy. For others, a donation of $16 will underwrite each lesson. To date, twenty families have been referred to Anita’s program. Here is what Anita recently shared with us about this very special work:

…and then I learned about the horrible devastation at the Park Hotel in Netanya where so many innocent people were injured or killed. It was that particular attack that truly affected me and it was then that I came to a decision — I knew it was my duty to do what I could to help these “victims of terror”. I got in touch with Bituach Leumi (Israel’s National Insurance), and asked if I could help some of the local victims from Netanya and Hadera.

Suddenly my riding yard was full of families. Tonight, I interviewed two little girls who lost their mother 10 months ago in the shooting in Hadera. We talked and then drew pictures. Not once did they mention their mother’s name nor could they remember anything about her. I spoke to their father and he was in the same situation. The only thing he could tell me was that they had been married 15 years, and that his wife had grown up without a mother because the same thing had happened to her mother.

I now see orphans, children and adults without legs or arms, a child who cannot sleep or whose dreams are so bad that their life is one long nightmare. This is what the news means when it says “the injured.”

……. I know that therapeutic riding will heal some of their wounds. It will not make all of their pain disappear, but it will help. ……

[INTRA-Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association-Mitzvah Horses, Anita and Giora Shkedi, Hadassah Neurim, Hadassah Village, 40298, Israel, Giora’s cellphone: 054-645-886, Anita’s cellphone: 067-205-886, the phone at Hadassah Center: 09-866-6305, fax: 09-796-7705, agshkedi@bezeqint.net, www.intra.org.il. Donations can be sent to Ziv for this special program.]

C. The Non-Profit Organization [Amuta] for Emotional Support of Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces

Clearly one of the most emotional meetings we had this summer was with Phyllis Heimowitz and her daughter, Tamar. While the story they shared was heart-breaking, it also exemplified the power of the individual to change the world. In 1997, Phyllis’s daughter, Michal, was about to become engaged to a fine young man, Avi Booker. Only days before they were to announce their engagement, Avi was killed in Lebanon. The Heimowitz family was faced with a daughter devastated by this profound loss. It was that impetus that prompted Phyllis and her family to start this incredible program which runs support groups for girlfriends* and fiancées of soldiers who die during their service. The groups, run by a professional therapist trained in this area of counseling, offer significant support to these women who, though just as needy, are not eligible for the vast amount of help offered by the government to blood relatives and spouses of fallen soldiers. The ongoing war has, unfortunately, provided Phyllis with a steady supply of distraught women, and now some men, as well, who have lost their girlfriends or fiancées to the war. The groups meet weekly for the first three months and then sessions taper down. The cost for a professional therapist is $140 per session, which includes up to 10 people. The cost for the first three months of a session is approximately $1,680. By the end of May, three new groups had formed due to the increased hostilities and in early October Phyllis formed her tenth group.

Prior to the current war, the administrative costs of this organization were covered almost entirely by friends and family. Today’s needs have quickly outpaced their available resources.

*We are aware that in English the term “girlfriends” is no longer appropriate. In Hebrew, the term “girlfriend” does not carry a negative connotation.

Click here to read more about actual stories of girl/boy friends of fallen soldiers. Very moving and heartbreaking.

[The Non-Profit Organization [Amuta] for Emotional Support of Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, Phyllis Heimowitz, 6 HaHavatzelet Street. Kir-On, Israel, 03-534-7860, heimw@netvision.net.il.]

D. Romema Project

For many of the very poor families of the Romema neighborhood in Jerusalem, Trudi Birger was a lifesaver. She accepted responsibility for assisting 50 families by providing them with food, clothes, school supplies, and money for medical care and education. When we last met Trudi before her death this summer, she shared that, over the years, more than 250 children from the Romema neighborhood had gone on to higher education because of her efforts. Anyone can consider “adopting” one of her families. For a relatively small sum of money each month, your “adopted” family can be supplied with many of these essentials...In some cases the need is for childcare, school supplies, medical expenses, occasional clothing needs or other incidentals.

[Zev Birger, 2 HaMeyasdim St., Jerusalem, 02-643-6628, zevb@netvision.net.il]

E. Direct Support to Social Workers

As noted in another part of this report, there is no one in Israel at this time who is not a “victim of terror”. For those who have not been directly affected by the war, the pain of poverty, illness, and hunger still remain. The only difference is that there are fewer resources to meet those increased needs and it is the hospital and public social workers who are faced daily with critical needs for their clients. In all instances, these are needs that are not met by National Insurance or other resources. In some cases, small sums of money such as for transportation or childcare can make a huge difference in the lives of people living with illness and poverty. We have been working with some of these social workers and have provided critical support on several occasions.

Donations for this aspect of our work should be made directly to Ziv with the appropriate notation on the check.

F. Israel Free Loan Association

While we have supported the work of Dr. Eliezer Jaffe and the Israel Free Loan Association for many years, it is only now, during the current war, that we were made aware of just how important this special organization's mission is. With the extreme economic downturn and general unrest in the country the availability of free loans is even more critical. The fact that any funds donated actually "keep giving" over and over again makes this a very special form of Tzedakah. We have facilitated several gifts to IFLA on behalf of our donors.
[IFLA, c/o Dr. Eliezer Jaffe, 37 Azza St., Jerusalem, home phone: 02-563-7450, mselijaf@pluto.mscc.huji.ac.il, www.freeloan.org.il, www.givingwisely.com. IFLA: 64 Azza St., POB 4579, 02-563-0248, fax: 566-9504. ]

G. Beit Frankforter

Beit Frankforter is an exciting center for Elders in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem. Every day Elders come to Beit Frankforter to socialize, study, pray, enjoy alternative therapies, receive dental care, use their artistic talents to produce beautiful craft items.

"A Sandwich for Every Child" is the perfect response to Israel’s growing economic crisis which forces many disadvantaged children to arrive at school without a morning sandwich. The grandmothers of Beit Frankforter will be making sandwiches each morning for some of these elementary school children who attend the local schools. However sponsors are needed who will donate $20 a month/child i.e. $200/year (ten months of school), to make this special Mitzvah happen.

H. Hot Lunches for Every Child

Harsh economic conditions have made it difficult for many families to provide their children with the funds to enjoy a hot school lunch. We have made contact with individuals at some local Jerusalem schools to provide funds for those children believed to be at risk. The cost to provide these nutritious lunches is $2.50 per day/per child.