I read the headline here and I stopped. The cost of living is going up? It was news I didn't want to read, didn't want to digest. Actually, I think I groaned. Out loud. For most people (including myself and many of my friends), Israel's cost of living is already challenging, to say the least. Israeli salaries are not high, and daily necessities are expensive. Most people-average families-do their best to figure out how to make things work; how to manage the rent, food, utilities, school fees...Often it means serious prioritizing and strict budgeting. Yes, there will be Shabbos guests this week but maybe we'll invite a smaller family. There will be more side dishes, less chicken-and the chicken will be dark meat.
One of the kids needs new shoes? If they can last just a few more weeks, there will likely be an end of the season sale, so it will wait. 

It's a balancing act; one that, if you live in Israel, most people have to somehow manage.

The news is devastating for people living in poverty, though. Price increases make an already burdensome situation even more desperate. With food basics expected to rise 2-4.5%, plus dairy products 3.4%,buying groceries becomes nearly impossible. Electricity is estimated to go up 4.5-8.1%. If that becomes a reality, families who are struggling to keep warm this winter  (Israeli apartments are freezing!) will struggle even harder. You can see the rest of the expected escalations in price here:



Yad Eliezer has been working hard to combat poverty since 1980, and by the looks of it, the fight is going to get harder this year. But luckily, we have a secret weapon: our donors. 
Together we can continue to fight. 
We can help keep families from going hungry.
We can help keep them warm.
We can help keep babies fed with formula.
Actually, there are over 20 ways through our more than 20 programs to help people in need.
It may not be easy, but Yad Eliezer has never given up-and with your help, we can make a difference.