Israel Update

This week, Project Kesher Israel distributed fifty family-sized packages containing a week’s worth of food and $25,000 in gift cards ranging in value from $50 to $200 to enable the women in our network to buy food and hygiene supplies for their families. The only thing stopping PKI from doing more is funds. The women in PKI’s network are among the most vulnerable in Israel- Ukrainian refugee mothers of hospitalized children; refugees and immigrants often housed in the south of the country, and women who have lost their jobs due to war. PKI's help is essential. How does this work? PKI was there when a member of our network and her four children were relocated from Sderot to Jerusalem in their pajamas with no personal belongings and arranged food for Shabbat and gift cards to purchase basic items.

PKI’s round-the-clock Russian language programming continues- with more than 44,000 views over the past month. Clinical psychologist Ella Berchansky has been speaking about the rise of gender violence in wartime and offering support and resources. Hebrew teacher Lia Barzilai provides programming for children in Hebrew, and Russian, and Michal Stamova provides stories in Ukrainian to help them calm down and go to sleep. Pilates and yoga instructor, Olga Krenin provides programs to keep women positive and supported. Also, each Friday, different rabbis and cantors bring Kabbalat Shabbat to the network with songs, the weekly Torah portion, and prayers for peace in Israel and Ukraine.

Finally, this week Project Kesher presented the fourth briefing by former MK Ksenia Svetlova, who continues to educate Israel’s Russian-speaking community about the war, the Arab population in Israel, and the week’s events.