Keeping the Lights on

Our Electricity Support campaign ensures families can do exactly that

Monday, December 02, 2024

Once again American Friends of Yad Eliezer/B'ezri's Electricity Support campaign is up and running, bringing genuine relief to families throughout Israel who are struggling to pay for basic needs, including the cost of electricity.

Many expenses and needs that go unmet

The war in Israel has caused its monthly defense budget to soar from $1.8 billion to $4.7 billion, straining public finances and exacerbating the costs of living across the board. And when the cost of even one necessity - such as food - increases, it just makes it that much harder to pay for others-like electricity. Or water. Or rent. Or a coat. Average households who are managing to get by, are feeling the strain of the economy's challenges, doing their best to make adjustments to their budgets to ensure their families are taken care of. Needy families, who are always the most vulnerable in any crisis, are having a much harder time. The increase of all major costs of living puts them into a tailspin-every expense in the home is a worry, a challenge to overcome. Keeping the electricity connected is one of them.

Naomi L. of Tzfat is fighting to do just that. A caterer, she lost her business once the war broke out. Even beforehand she barely managed to eke out a living. Naomi's husband is disabled and isn't working. With the loss of Naomi's business, their struggle to provide for the family of six's most basic needs has soared. Their overdue electric bill means they are at daily risk of getting disconnected.

Unbearable cold

Not only would that mean the loss of lights and use of critical appliances (refrigerators and washing machines included) which would create an unlivable environment on its own. Loss of heat in an Israeli apartment is a major hardship. As anyone who has lived or stayed in one in the winter knows, the stone walls and floors trap the cold inside, producing frigid temperatures and making conditions unbearable. Keeping electricity connected to keep a home functioning normally, is paramount.

Help that keeps homes warm

American Friends of Yad Eliezer/B'ezri's Electricity campaign provides critical help to that end. Families are assisted with emergency funds that ensure the lights can be used, clothing can be washed, refrigerators can run and heat can be turned on. In short, despite their multiple challenges, parents and children can at least rest assured these essentials will remain operational, allowing them to maintain a basic level of comfort and dignity in their daily lives.

Your tzedaka support makes all the difference - it is key to helping us accomplish such a critical goal. When you donate to Israel through our campaign, you help us keep the lights on for needy families.

 

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