As you know, in recent times Israel has suffered an economic crisis and a sorrowful defense position which have caused a considerable deterioration in the situation of many families. Many families are in a difficult economic position involving personal embarrassment and a feeling of harsh frustration. Yes, it's hard to realize and the statistics hurt: many families are going hungry!

The latest statistics publicized in the poverty report say that over 1,200,000 people are living under the poverty line in Israel, including 600,000 children who have been born into a difficult reality of distress and this is here, around the corner and closer than we thought. It's sad that our pace of life prevents us from relating to the distress of others, but with a little attention and sensitivity it becomes clear that we must do something for them.

In Rishon LeTziyon, the fourth largest city in Israel, there are now hundreds of residents who permanently need help to get food every week to complete their diet. The municipality, by means of the Administration for Social Integration and the Welfare Office, does all it can to aid the hundreds of needy families and hundreds of children in distress. However, due to budgetary problems, which are part of the difficult economic situation in the whole country, the municipality cannot do enough.

Lev Hachesed enters the picture here. Lev hachesed was founded and operated in 2001 by Chabad Youth Org. and is operated by many volunteers . Lev hachesed grants aid to immigrant and veteran families in harsh distress whether they be religious or secular and regardless of origin.
Then I (Ronen Zinger) also joined the volunteers, and we - Moti Rozenblom and Moti Aroesti, Baruch Deutsch and Mr. Jay Gold from New -York joined "Lev Hachesed" volunteers and we all where exposed to the dimensions of poverty in Israel which we had not known till then. We didn't believe that they were actually so close to us. Since then we have decided to do our best so that the needy among us won't be neglected, to expand the aid to needy families and to prevent the deterioration of others so that they won't go hungry. Indeed, much has been done thanks to the volunteers of Lev Hachesed, who are many residents who care about others and are prepared to tackle any goal.

As of now, we distribute food baskets to more then hundreds of  families, consisting of thousands of hungry people. The baskets contain basic products: oil, rice, sugar, flour, bread, chicken, fish, fruit, vegetables, baby food, etc. Lev Hachesed is not supported by any government body but relies on public contributions. We emphasize that we act in full coordination with the welfare services and each family is referred to us by the Welfare Office in Rishon LeTziyon.

Lev Hachesed volunteers are residents of the city from all sectors, ages and professions. They devote days and nights to raise funds and collect contributions of food from individuals and firms. This is a particularly difficult aim, considering the hard economic situation now existing in Israel. Now, more than ever, entire families are hungry with children who go to sleep hungry and wake up hungrier and who need help.

Please help us to help them by aiding this important humanitarian project in Rishon LeTziyon.

 

With blessings Ronen Zinger Israel President

With blessings Baruch Deutsch U.S.A President

With blessings Moti Rozenblom friends of "Lev Hachesed"

With blessings Moti Aroesti friends of "Lev Hachesed"

With blessings Dr. Jay Gold U.S.A  secretary