Replacing Summer Strain with Smiles

Our Summer Relief Campaign gives needy families a break

Summer has officially arrived, and throughout Israel parents are trying to arrange their families' daily schedules for the long Chofesh HaGadol ("the Big Vacation"=summer break) which is only days away.

Summer is associated with fun and excitement for families, giving kids and parents a much-needed break. It's a time of year that generates cherished experiences & memories for so many. But this year is especially challenging both for needy Israeli households and even for average families who are just trying to stay afloat. The rise in inflation, affecting all facets of daily life including food (prices of bread and dairy products have gone up 5%), electricity (up 18%)  and mortgages (up as high as 28%) is making this summer one of the most stressful times of the year. Despite best efforts and due to no fault of their own, parents just can't keep up and are falling further and further behind.  

Unable to afford school-run day camps (the norm in Israeli culture), the lack of structure at the end of the school year puts parents in a terrible bind. If they're employed, they're stressed to find responsible alternative childcare arrangements for their kids, something that's not easy to do, particularly if the children are very young. Covering costs for babysitting is extremely challenging, especially when the expense leaves little left over, for them to live on.

Parents who are struggling with unemployment have concerns as well, lacking any salary to help cover living expenses. A houseful of people generates increased food and utility bills, but without income, parents have no way to pay for them. The same holds true for families shouldering heavy debts, are overwhelmed by medical expenses or are facing other difficult challenges. Adding to the strain of families like this, across the board, is the inability to provide anything special for their kids who are stuck at home. When parents are struggling to pay for the basics, there's no money to put out even for the smallest of treats, fun activities or trips.

Bina L., a single mother, expresses how hard it is to plan for the summer months. "I'm alone. Throughout the year I need to figure out how to get my kids what they need-food, clothes..my rent goes up each year while my salary usually stays the same. The summer is overwhelming, though. I can get a small discount, thank G-d, for the kaitana (camp) for my kids, but I have four children. Even with a discount, the fees, times four..I can't manage that. And if they're home, I can't keep the house stocked with food fast enough. Every day of the summer I have to figure out what to do... how I can work until they go back to school again."

As one of the most proactive Jewish charity organizations, years ago American Friends of Yad Eliezer|B'ezri recognized the need for our Summer Relief Campaign, a critical progam that helps families like Bina's get through the summer months. We will be helping thousands of families in need (including 70 single mothers with 2500 NIS each). 

Donor tzedaka will help families cover camp fees, food bills, electric bills and other necessities that are extremely tough for them to fund. The support transforms the summer, replacing anxiety and stress with smiles.
Join us in helping families get through the season with dignity so they can make some cherished memories of their own!

 

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