I am a retired businessman who volunteers all his time and efforts to better the lives of our needy brothers and sisters in Israel. As I was growing up, I always had the dream of repaying society a debt long-owed since, as a youngster having fled from Egypt with my family, we ate in soup kitchens in Paris. What I started 12 years ago as a small project has become the largest humanitarian organization in Israel. I run various humanitarian programs in Israel:
• Hazon Yeshaya's Soup Kitchen Facilities serve thousands of nutritious meals every day in a nationwide network of over 60 distribution points. We serve to all races and religions -- never discriminating.
a) 70 percent of those meals are being served to children in schools and in afternoon extended school programs.b) Hazon Yeshaya is the largest organization in Israel which takes care of our Holocaust survivors.
• Food Packages distributed to the needy. Packages consist of coffee, tea, sugar, oil, salt, pasta, canned food, fruits, etc. Before major holidays, we distribute thousands of food packages to ensure that the needy will be able to celebrate the holidays as well.
• Free Dental Clinics for underprivileged children, the elderly, including Holocaust survivors, who, because of the high cost of dentistry, cannot afford to see a dentist. We provide all dental services, no matter the intricacy or cost, including implants.
• Free Vocational Training Courses in Hairdressing, Cosmetics, Manicure, Pedicure, Computer and Secretarial skills to the unemployed, single mothers, battered wives, immigrants, people whose jobs became obsolete and those who did not finish their schooling. After learning a trade, they find employment and become self-sufficient -- not dependent on the daily hot meals that are being provided to them and to their families. Needless to say, finding a job restores their dignity and self-esteem.
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations for orphans and children coming from abusive or dysfunctional homes. The day starts at the Western Wall. A tour of Jerusalem is given followed by a festive meal and music. Tefillins and gifts are presented to all the Bar and Bat Mitzvah children.
• Clothing shop set up like a department store where individuals and families in need of free clothing and shoes can "shop" in a dignified manner, select and try on merchandise and receive personal assistance from a volunteer to find what they need.
If you would like to know more or kindly donate to our cause, please visit our Web site at: http://www.hazonyeshaya.org
Abraham IsraelFounder and ChairmanHazon Yeshaya Humanitarian Network60 Rashi StreetMekor BaruchJerusalem, Israel
abraham@hazonyeshaya.org