HOW TO HELP-

We're a retail gift shop- not fundraisers- and with hundreds of organizations always asking us to promote them, we cannot link to charitable organizations under normal circumstances. In the aftermath of recent wars, we're making an exception. There is a Hebrew word that cannot be easily translated- it means "Poorer than poor." This is the situation for many desperate families who's lives have collapsed because of deaths, injuries, closed businesses, damaged homes, and because of cutbacks in social services, as this tiny country stuggles to pay for the cost of self defense. Many of our customers are asking what can be done to help.

While not widely publicized, Israel continues to suffer a humanitarian crisis, beyond what most Americans can imagine. Israel's poorest, most vulnerable citizens go hungry daily, and are suffering terribly. While Iranian and Arab Oil money pours into Hezbollah, Hamas and the communities that raise and harbor terrorists, Israel depends on help from us.

Here are a few of the organizations that have stepped up to the plate during recent incidents. They all need additonal financial assistance:

Yad Eliezer (100% tzedaka, volunteer-run with no administrative costs)
Donating many thousands of meals, food baskets, baby formula, shoes, and other assistance to Israel's most needy on a regular basis:
http://www.yadeliezer.org/

Meir Panim- one of Israel's largest soup kitchen networks- has been handling crisis donations: Earmark Yisrael b'Yachad. They also provide meals to undernourished school children, for many of which it is their only real meal all day. Meals and gifts can be purchased directly from their site:
http://www.mifalchaim.org/eng/main.htm and http://www.meirpanim.org

Hazon Yeshaya's central soup kitchen- providing tens of thousands of hot meals:
www.hazonyeshaya.org

Magen David Adom- Israel’s emergency medical service needs ambulances, medical supplies, helmets, flak jackets, oxygen tanks and training equipment. Donations can be made thru the US headquarters: American Friends of Magen David Adom:
http://www.afmda.org.
The organization’s hotline in the US is (866) 632-2763.

Karmey Hesed- providing food service, clothing, emergency prescription drugs, free loans and emergency utility assistance to the needy in Beitar Illit and other Jerusalem suburbs.
http://www.karmeyhesed.org

Ezrat Avot- providing services and resources for Israel's elderly residents, with a free dining room in their senior center, and meals-on-wheels and holiday food deliveries.
http://www.ezratavot.org

Table to Table donates diapers, clothing, food and essentials. http://www.tabletotable.org.il

The Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers
http://www.mahal2000.com/awis-e/
or to their American partners: http://www.israelsoldiers.org

ZAKA Rescue and Recovery
http://zakausa.org or http://zakaisrael.org/

Torah Umesorah Aniyim Fund- a U.S. charity guided by Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky- all funds are directed to Israel's neediest citizens. Donations may be sent in c/o Sharon First, 21 Canterbury Ct, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Earmark "Aniyim Fund".

The Terror Victims Support Center- Or Meir & Bracha, a crisis center based in northern Jerusalem, provides food packages to the needy each week, as well as psychological and legal services.
http://www.terror-victims.org.il.

For a great resource lisitng places to donate or volunteer, or to add to organizational lists of Israeli tzedakas, go to: www.crisisinisrael.com