The news of a ceasefire in the war front with Iran brings renewed hope for stability and a return to routine for Israel’s citizens. The remarkable spirit and resilience of Israeli society once again is helping us get through the challenges before us. However, with 30 Israelis killed, almost 3,500 injured and 11,000 displaced from their homes, there is much to be done.
Rashi’s teams are spread across the country and remain in close contact with local authorities and program beneficiaries, providing emergency assistance where needed and identifying new emerging needs.
At the same time, we are working to provide physical and emotional support for our staff to help them cope: those who have been directly affected by missile attacks, those who have been living without easy access to protected spaces, and those who have a spouse serving in reserve duty.
We will continue to respond to the changing situation and to develop appropriate solutions.
Hoping for calmer and better days ahead that will allow us to focus on Israeli society’s recovery and renewed growth.
Under the constraints of the emergency situation, our affiliated NGOs continue to operate programs and services, while also responding to new needs.
The educational activities of the Cyber Education Center, Tafnit and Ma’ase associations for children, youth and young adults have adapted to online formats wherever possible. The welfare programs of Yahdav association that operate 24/7 – emergency centers, shelters, hostels and so on – remain open with additional staff from day programs that were shut down due to the war.
Where permitted by the Home Front Command, the national service volunteers of Ofek Association have been deployed in hospitals, Magen David Adom, firefighting units, and other critical services. Northern Goals association has opened hotlines that provide immediate emotional support in both Hebrew and Arabic, and Gvahim association is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Absorption to reach out to newly arrived immigrants and assist where necessary.
The Social-Environmental Logistics Center, a joint initiative of Rashi and Shinua Hevrati (social delivery association) in collaboration with the Coastal Plain Municipal Cluster, immediately mobilized to help municipalities and families suffering from missile damage.
The logistic center’s team, reinforced by volunteers, is providing essential supplies such as clothes, bedding and personal hygiene items for people who were evacuated from their homes to hotels across the country. In addition, it delivers mattresses and other equipment to public shelters, including underground parking lots and train stations that have been turned into emergency shelters.
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In the midst of the war, a group of teens chose to shift the narrative on social media. “Ambassadors of Hope”, a Rashi initiative in cooperation with the Council of Youth Organizations and the National Student Council, is empowering teens with tools to positively influence their peers, building resilience and fostering optimism and hope.
Following a kickoff session via Zoom, participants were given their first mission: To share a post, video, or story under the hashtag #AmbassadorsOfHope.
Yaniv Waizman, CEO of TEENK, who is leading the initiative voluntarily, told the young influencers: “When you share content on social media – you become a lifeline for someone else. You bring joy, a sense of belonging. You become part of something greater.”
