The residents of Amigour Sheltered Housing for Israel’s elderly and Holocaust survivors, a Keren Hayesod-supported project, have been a top priority throughout this pandemic due to their age and vulnerability.

We have worked hard, together with our strategic partners, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents.

The incredibly dedicated staff at Amigour have continued to look out for the residents during this unprecedented time, protecting them and keeping them safe from COVID-19, while also working to uphold their livelihood and dignity during this difficult time.

Thanks to your continued contributions and care, we were able to provide them with the necessary items and support they needed to safely deal with the pandemic.

In light of the difficult circumstances the residents are dealing with, they have begun to receive their vaccinations against the coronavirus.

Hopefully, this is leading us one step closer to returning to a sense of normalcy.

Additionally, the construction of more Amigour homes continues thanks to your support, which will soon allow more of Israel’s elderly to finally have access to subsidized housing in a warm and supportive environment.

Your commitment throughout this incredibly difficult time has allowed, and will continue to allow, the residents of Amigour to maintain a sense of pride and optimism.

With a new reality in Israel, children throughout the country were forced to deal with the changing educational framework as a result of the pandemic. Instead of sitting in classrooms, with a teacher and classmates, students have had to learn from home, relying on technology.

For many, this new reality does not only present challenges in terms of the educational and emotional adjustment, but also in terms of not having the resources to engage in the required online learning.

On January 7^th, our World Chairman, Sam Grundwerg joined together with the President of Israel, Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, the Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon and the Mitchashevin team for an emotional and uplifting event that granted computers to children in need.

“This moment was a heartfelt and moving opportunity to connect directly with children from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and Rosh Haayin and to see first-hand Israeli children from Muslim, Christian and Jewish backgrounds receive these computers, which is just the minimum requirement needed for them be an active part of the classroom. With these computers, they can now focus on being present, learning and making the most of this experience,” said Sam Grundwerg, World Chairman of Keren Hayesod.

Since April 2020, 14,000 computers have been given to families with children. Your support of this important project has helped families to adjust to Israel’s new educational framework.

Without you, many children would be unable to participate in the required schooling and would miss the critical opportunity to interact with their classmates and friends.

Surrounded by beautiful landscape in the south of Israel, just three kilometers from the Egyptian border, is Nitzana – one of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Youth Villages, supported by Keren Hayesod.

Last week we had the privilege of visiting the Youth Village and seeing what a day in the life is like for participants who have come from all over the world. Nitzana is home to several different projects like MASA and Sela, where young adults have the unique opportunity to gain meaningful and important skills before integrating into Israeli society.

Imagine these young teenagers who left their homes abroad and landed in an unfamiliar place, in the Israeli desert. No family, no familiarity with the surrounding culture and landscape and no understanding of the Hebrew language. They left their lives behind to find a new home in Israel, to be part of the people of Israel and part of the Zionist dream.

Despite the lockdown and unusual situation, the participants continued to engage in their daily Ulpan courses, had the opportunity to relax with yoga outside and enjoyed hanging out with their new friends.

These participants have decided to leave home and make Aliyah to Israel, even during a global pandemic. We are in awe of their bravery and commitment to making Israel their home.

We wish them luck on their new journey in Israel.